From barren slopes to bountiful gardens — the journey of empowerment with Kenoli partner, CESTA
As we drove slowly along a narrow, winding one-lane road into the hills of El Salvador, we didn’t know quite what to expect. Our journey ended in a place called Los Alpes — a name that evokes towering European mountains but in reality, marks a steep, isolated community facing a daily struggle for the basics: food, water, and stability.
We parked and climbed a footpath up the hillside to reach Rosa’s home. There, a group of smiling women welcomed us, a hand-painted sign of greeting, and a vibrant display of fresh produce from their gardens. It was a warm and generous gesture that belied the harshness of their living conditions.
This community, perched on the mountainside, has no access to running water. Drinking water and water for the gardens must be hauled, stored, or captured from the rain. The terrain is so steep that Ken took a tumble and graciously laughed it off. Life here is anything but easy.
Yet in the face of such difficulty, the women of Los Alpes are shining examples of resilience, ingenuity, and strength — and their transformation has been nothing short of remarkable.
Just two years ago, Rosa was pregnant and struggling with depression. Her home was surrounded by weeds and bush. That’s when she joined the training sessions offered by Kenoli’s partner, CESTA, and everything began to change.
With the support and knowledge, she gained, Rosa turned that overgrown slope into a lush, thriving garden. Medicinal herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees now grow in abundance around her home. Thanks to a CESTA-provided rainwater tank, she’s able to collect and store precious water, helping her garden flourish even in dry times. She told us that now, she barely needs to buy food — her garden sustains her family.
Then there’s Julia, who proudly showed us her nursery and garden. In just a year, she too has reshaped the land around her, replacing tangled bush with rows of vegetables, fruit trees, and vibrant ornamental flowers.
These women are no longer simply surviving — they are thriving. Their eyes sparkled as they shared their successes with us. They spoke not just of crops and rainwater, but of confidence, dignity, and hope.
As a token of their gratitude, they prepared a lunch made entirely from the bounty of their gardens. It was a delicious, heartfelt expression of everything they’ve accomplished — and all they have yet to build.
The women of Los Alpes are living proof of what’s possible when knowledge, community, and determination meet. CESTA’s support has been a catalyst, but the real power comes from these women themselves — resilient, resourceful, and deeply inspiring.