Community Testimony: Trinidad Rizo Picado
Trinidad has always been an important figure in the community of El Limón. She and her husband, Ernesto, live with one of their sons and grandsons. The family has always participated in Global Brigades organized activities with both volunteers and local staff. Trinidad’s day is filled with baking bread, caring for her grandchildren and harvesting beans on a small piece of rented land alongside her husband. Find out more about Trinidad’s involvement and perspectives on the public health projects taking place in her community.
Describe what you do in the community and tell me about your family.
I am a housewife and also a part of the church’s board of directors here in the community. I have four children with my husband, Ernesto, and we live with our one son and grandson. I love participating in Global Brigades’ organized activities, like the internship for example. My husband and I really enjoy getting to know the volunteers who come from all over. There is always a lot of diversity within these groups.
How had GB helped you and your family?
Global Brigades’ staff and volunteers have brought great benefits and transformed not only our lives, but those of the community as well. We now have a cement floor, latrine, washing station, shower and eco-oven. We were sharing our latrine with our neighbors and it has been full and we weren’t able to use it for a long time. The public health projects have really helped our sanitation practices and overall general health. Additionally, I really enjoy attending the baking classes that Global Brigades has organized since we have our eco-oven to utilize as an economic resource. Selling the bread has greatly helped my family and I, especially since neither my husband nor I have fixed jobs.
Describe the projects GB is working on in your community. Why are they important?
Global Brigades has run both medical clinics and the public health hybrid in our community. Many community members have been able to receive sanitary units, cement floors, eco-ovens and even houses, thanks to the volunteers and staff. We don’t have the economic resources to construct these projects on our own. Global Brigades really cares about El Limón and has improved our quality of life and living condition tremendously. Like I said, it has transformed us. Global Brigades will always be in our hearts.
