Hello! My name is Evelin Castro, and I lead a team of men working in agriculture at the Organic Learning Center (CAO), where our mission is to educate Hondurans about organic farming to combat malnutrition. Although leading is challenging, this role has made me stronger, helping me overcome obstacles and shaping who I am today.
At CAO, my responsibilities range from managing daily activities and caring for our plants, animals, and resources to welcoming foreign visitors. I also host seminars on organic farming for local students and coordinate trips for our team to learn more about agriculture. My most fulfilling role is teaching leadership skills to my team and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. With the support of my team and faith, we consistently achieve success together.
I always dreamed of studying agronomy, but financial struggles and the loss of my mother prevented me from pursuing that path until I graduated from LMI. Growing up, I worked in agriculture to support my family and learned a lot from interacting with agronomists and working on farms. This knowledge has strengthened my skills and prepared me for my current role.
When my mother passed away, I had to become independent at the age of 12. In my community, the only work available was in agriculture. Of the 17 people working on the farm, my sister and I were the only women. Through this experience, I became accustomed to working with men, though I had no experience leading them.
When I took on my role as director, I encountered many men who did not want to be led by a woman, refused to listen, and tried many ways to tarnish my name and hurt me psychologically. But one day, I realized they didn’t have more power than me. I began to work on myself, self-reflected, and changed my approach in leading them. When I felt strong enough, I addressed them more assertively, calling them out when they misbehaved. I tried many ways to improve the situation, but ultimately, I understood that they were simply trying to harm me, while I only wanted to help them become better people. Eventually, some men decided to leave the center because they saw I would not give up despite all their efforts to make me quit.
Today, I am proud to say that my new team is strong and has achieved great improvements at CAO. We help each other, and they enjoy learning, listening, and following instructions. They support my role as the lead. With this excellent team, we aim to make a great impact by helping people of low means engage in agriculture, teaching them to use everything nature provides. Our team also strives to start our own organic farm. Each month, the men receive a stipend so they can save and have capital to start their own businesses.
People often ask why I’ve stayed in this role so long. My goals are to support my family, help my team grow, and ultimately establish my own organic farm and home. In the coming years, I hope to achieve these aspirations and, in the long term, contribute to my community’s growth and resilience.
Studying at LMI has played a crucial role in my journey. LMI instilled resilience, perseverance, and leadership skills in me. Through community projects, I learned how to work with diverse personalities and gained patience and empathy. These projects prepared me to handle various challenges in my work and made me a stronger leader.
CAO and LMI both emphasize the importance of organic agriculture and healthy living. Our team shows people that growing food organically is healthier, helping to prevent diseases associated with artificial chemicals. By eliminating harmful additives, we promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce the need for costly treatments.
Agriculture is a fulfilling field, and I encourage women not to limit themselves because of gender. Women possess both the knowledge and strength to excel in agriculture and break down barriers. Don’t give up on making your dreams a reality.
