Many organizations face the challenge of how to create lasting impact in the regions where they work. Puente believes that one of the key strategies is the development of a well-organized, technically trained and locally committed network of community promoters. Therefore we have set an ambitious goal of growing our local amaranth promoters from four in 2010 to twenty in 2014, the final year of our five-year strategic plan. Recently, Puente established three satellite offices to serve increase our presence in the regions where we work. In addition, the offices are points-of-entry for amaranth sales and other educational services.

Of course, the most impressive achievement to date has been the growth in confidence and skills of the eight promoters that are currently on scholarship. Four of the promoters collaborate with Puente’s Eco amaranth program and the other four with the Healthy Families program. They will each receive at least twelve training opportunities and numerous other exchanges.

They support Puente too, since they speak their local languages and know the cultural norms that are distinct to each region and community. Each day, we are ever amazed about their emerging leadership and impact on the program outcomes. And as importantly, they recognize the indispensable nature of their work.

As Flor Mendez states, our 25 year old Community Promoter in the Mixteca region states;

"Working as a Community Promoter for Puente i have identified and aquired a set of new values that have improved my personal and professional relationships both with the amaranth producers and my co-workers. These values include: responsibility, respect, empathy, sharing of knowledge, ideas and an understanding of sustainable food sytems. Thanks to all the knowledge I've gained I feel strengthened, able to support, share and work with people from different places without distinction. I feel my self confidence has improved and i am able to bring other young people into the program by generating spaces for critical thought, facilitating awareness-raising workshops about the environment, motivating groups and incorporating them into Puente's work."