PERSEIDA TENORIO
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MEXICO, 28
Project: Una Mano Para Oaxaca
Focus Area: Education/Curriculum Development + Culture Rights
Perseida is a co-founder of Una Mano Para Oaxaca (UMPO) meaning A Hand for Oaxaca which provides education platforms for indigenous girls and women from Zapotec communities. Cultural, economic and community circumstances often prevent women living in Zapotec communities from receiving an education, so Perseida hopes UMPO bridges access to allow communities to educate each other and the younger generations of Zapotec women.
A Hand for Oaxaca uses a participatory model to develop economic sovereignty, and to encourage women and girls to make decisions based on their personal well-being and seek collective strategies to improve their living conditions. Their programs strengthen women’s collective voice and power, and make strides to reduce inequality in the current Zapotec culture.
Since 2017, A Hand for Oaxaca has supported 4,100+ women and girls to exercise their right to education, food sovereignty and stable employment. Their work has seen communities through two crises, the 2017 earthquakes and 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. During these uncertain times, they made sure to focus on individuals’ healing and well-being.
Perseida believes it is important to achieve holistic health, in the mind and the body, in order to help others and grow together.