Organization and Development in Guarjila

Since its repopulation, the community of Guarjila has identified with the struggle to organize to defend and demand rights. The community has actively participated in different activities and marches.
 
After the repopulation, the level of organization that the community developed allowed for the self-management of community projects and solidarity with international cooperation. Guarjila earned support and cooperation from Seattle; Bielefeld, Germany; Barcelona; and Santa Teresa; among others. Together they execute projects that make for meeting basic needs such as healthcare, education, recreation, infrastructure, drinkable water, and the environment.

​​​​​​Guarjila is organized through the Association of Community Development (Asociación de Desarrollo Comunal, or ADESCO Guarjila). Its members are elected by the People’s Popular Assembly (la Asamblea Popular del Pueblo). The members that form the ADESCO are representatives of the community. They develop actions that promote the wellbeing of the community and the improvement of life conditions for children, youth, and older individuals. As such, the ADESCO works alongside initiatives such as the Ana Manganaro Clinic, Radio Sumpul, the Museum House, churches, the Tamarindo Group, cooperatives, and other groups that make up the community, as well as national and international institutions.

This organizational vision and interaction has allowed the community to become self-maintaining in its development, achieving important advances in various fields. One focus has been the protection of the environment, including stopping projects such as metallic mining since 2010. An agreement was signed with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the work of community-based healthcare, which has been developing since our foundation and continues today.  There are efforts to generate economic opportunities and to promote cooperative and productive activities, despite the community disintegration that is caused by migratory outflows and dependency on remittances. Healthy recreational and extracurricular activities and programs for youth continue to be formed. Also, initiatives that rescue the historical memory of the community are promoted, such as this project.