ABOUT U4C

We are passionate social entrepreneurs who believe all human beings are worthwhile, significant, and deserving of healthy, happy, peaceful and productive lives. Our mission is to create opportunities for people in disadvantaged conditions with the potential to ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity in their communities.

At the heart of our work are women. We firmly believe that empowering women is essential to building stronger, more resilient communities. We co-create and work side-by-side with our beneficiary groups and communities, and partner organizations to strengthen local resilience and capacities in a sustainable way.

All people are worthwhile, significant, and deserving of heaalthy, peaceful and productive lives. Yet, many people in the world are excluded from such fundamental human rights. In numerous communities, access to essential resources, institutional support, economic opportunity, and conditions for sustainable peace seem out of reach. Too often, this results in violence, strife, perpetual conflict, oppression, and extreme poverty.

Learn More

IMPACT AREAS

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

We co-create opportunities that ignite resilience, peace, and prosperity

Learn More

THE LATEST

A lost Journey of an Afghan Girl

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela. By S.W. Rotary Peace Fellow Afghanistan was a Muslim country where Islam mandated education for both men and women. However, the current de facto regime, despite claiming to...

The Story of Empowerment: A Journey Through the Heart of Argentina’s Aboriginal Communities

The sun dawns over the landscapes of Argentina, casting a warm glow over 30 individuals who last year, stand proudly as the newest graduates from an ambitious project: “Leadership and Small Business Program to Contribute to Sustainable Economic Development in...

Reviving Heritage: Donato Gutierrez’s Journey of Indigenous Tourism in Argentina

Donato's story isn't just about entrepreneurship; it's a tribute to the strength and cultural heritage of indigenous communities in Argentina. As the President of the Union of Small Aboriginal Producers of Jujuy and Salta (UPPAJS), an organization established in 2005,...

Leading the Way: Sonia Gregorio’s Journey to Empower Women in Jujuy’s Tourism Sector

Sonia Gregorio, a graduate of the program "Leadership and Small Business Program to Contribute to Sustainable Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities of Argentina,” is more than just a tourism entrepreneur. She helps tourists find their way on trails and...

Cultivating Growth: Hirman Lamas’ Vision for Sustainable Development in Salinas, Jujuy

As a crop and tourism entrepreneur, Hirman is a clear example of how vision can extend beyond our endeavors. He's focused on something bigger: creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the community of San Miguel de Colorados, located within Salinas Grandes,...

Breaking Barriers: Telma Luzco’s Path to Empowering Indigenous Women in Jujuy, Argentina

In the stunning landscapes of Jujuy province, you'll find Telma Luzco, a leader in her community of Varas and Palca de Aparzo. She's not just a tourism entrepreneur; she's also working hard to preserve traditions and empower indigenous women. Telma's mission is clear:...

Webinar Series: Reimagining Peace and Security in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023

By Daniel Murillo In April 2023, U4C joined World BEYOND War, Rotary Peace Fellowship Alumni Association and Peace First to launch a Webinar Series: “Reimagining Peace and Security in Latin America and the Caribbean”, with the principal objective to stimulate...

Pintando de verde la ciudad del folklore

Equipo Corazones Verdes de Oruro, PIP Bolivia Con la intención de reverdecer Oruro y los integrantes del proyecto Corazones Verdes, plantaron arbolitos en el sector de villa Challacollo. La mañana del Sábado 23 de abril, fecha escogida en conmemoración al día de la...

I learned to be more resilient after having lived in Guatemala

January to May 2018 marked my personal life forever. The previous year I had decided to have a volunteering experience and the place chosen was Guatemala. On January 30th, 2018 I left my country, Argentina, with a suitcase full of illusions, expectations and...

U4C Service Abroad 2018: Banding Together in Quime, La Paz

By Bob Reid, Ph.D. Over the past several years, United4Change Center has partnered with the Hobbs and Lovington Rotary Clubs in an effort to comprehensively and sustainably help women to lift themselves out of extreme poverty and violence in rural/mining Bolivia...

Making the impossible possible?

By Ximena Murillo As peace fellows, we have been talking about inspirational world leaders and extraordinary peace makers such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Theresa, among others. All of these great leaders achieved peace and...

A week to remember

By Ximena Murillo Muchas veces escuchamos que nada cambia de la noche a la mañana o que los cambios drásticos no duran en el tiempo. Before the start of the second week of the Rotary Peace Fellowship, the entire class (Class 24) was invited to a Rotary orientation at...

The Changing Trends of Youth Participation in Democratic Governance: Going Local? | 4democraticgovernance

By Gerardo Berthin, Ph.D Last month the World Youth Congress took place in Honolulu, Hawaii. Over the years, more than 10,000 young people used this platform to advocate their needs to leaders and to support the development of youth-led solutions to overcome...

Advent of Volunteer Tourism — New Form of Charitable Giving?

By Robert J. (Bob) Reid, PhD There is a growing trend in destination weddings. People are clearly seeking opportunities to accentuate personal meaning with the important events of their lives. The manner in which people experience personal meaning seems to evolve from...

Does Philanthropy Do Good or Harm?

By Robert J. (Bob) Reid, PhD The role of philanthropy in society continues to evolve and is increasingly nuanced with perplexing challenges to effective grant making. It is no longer sufficient to serve humanity with merely altruistic motivation. Increasingly,...

Inspiring Leaders in Kisumu, Kenya

U4C has tirelessly worked in many places around the world where humanity has suffered greatly. We are concerned about the well-being of all people, but especially about the traumatic circumstances confronting women and girls in extreme poverty. Women and girls are...

The Power of Self-Help Groups in Kisumu

Empowering Women So They Can Support Themselves and Each Other! Over the past year, we implemented an exciting project in Kisumu, Kenya to help at-risk women in supporting each other and in developing women-owned businesses. During this time, we have witnessed the...

My Country, My Life, My Work Under the Taliban Rule in Afghanistan

By Saleem (pseudonym) Life under the changing, often experienced as harsh and brutal, influences of what some view as a terrorist Taliban junta can be challenging, but is especially critical in my capacity as a peacebuilder, human rights and women rights activist, and...

Photos Gallery

An Example of Resilience Resilience seems best experienced in the reciprocal nature of serving and being nurtured by others. The resolve, capacity, and encouragement needed to overcome challenges and/or to thrive do not arise out of isolation. We are only adequate in...

Social Innovation in Argentina: Leadership & Entrepreneurship Program to advance Sustainable Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities

The Experience of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Province of Jujuy By Paz Bossio In 2021, U4C launched an ambitious project - working with aboriginal communities in northern Argentina. In partnership and collaboration with Rotary Peace Fellow Magda Zurita and local...

Meet Susana Valdez: A Bolivian Inspiring Leader

"I won’t ever move from Quime," says Susana Valdez. She was born more than 50 years ago in the community of Quime - Inquisivi Province (La Paz-Bolivia). She grew up in a community with many, many challenges including a lack of even the most basic opportunities for...

Test Title

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.Your content goes here. Edit...

What Does Resilience Mean to You?

What Does Resilience Mean to You? Resilience is..... What Doest Resilience Mean to you? U4C believes that this is a relevant time to reflect on the essence of resilience. We sought to acquire and share personalized meanings of resilience, through 100 personal stories...

Example of Resilience

From the Field: Guatemala

Why Guatemala? With a population of 16.86 million (2020 est.), Guatemala is the most populated country in Central America. This Country is bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, Belize, the Caribbean, Honduras and El Salvador. Because of its geographical location,...

Meet Nilda Condori

"Meet Nilda Condori" By Nilda Condori I am a member of Santidad Amigos Church and a former Bolivia Quaker Education Fund (BQE) scholarship recipient. My first job was teaching girls from 5 to 10 years old every Sunday. Sadly, my father had died when I was 16, leaving...

I learned to be more resilient after having lived in Guatemala

I learned to be more resilient after having lived in Guatemala By María Julia Moreyra January to May 2018 marked my personal life forever. The previous year I had decided to have a volunteering experience and the place chosen was Guatemala. On January 30th, 2018 I...

“AMPARA Initiative”

"AMPARA Initiative" By María Antonia Pérez Caring for Each Other “Ampara” means “Hand” in Aymara, one of many indigenous languages spoken in Bolivia. I learned that word and about the Aymaran culture while working with Quaker Bolivia Link (QBL) and United4Change...

The Crossing

The Crossing By U4C Team The Crossing is a documentary telling the story of the Venezuelan crisis and the small boarder city willing to help, Cucuta. (From www.thecrossingdoc.com) by Juliana Penaranda-Loftus U4C has partnered with Hope For Venezuelan Refugees...

Hope For Venezuelan Refugees Project

Hope For Venezuelan Refugees Project By U4C Team Approximately five million[1] refugees and migrants have left Venezuela as a result of the political turmoil, socio-economic instability and the ongoing humanitarian crisis – triggering the largest external displacement...

Rural Foundation Collaboration: “Houston we have a problem”

Sharing a new Publication By U4C Team We are thrilled to announce that Rural Foundation Collaboration: "Houston we have a problem" written by Robert J. Reid, Elyn A. Palmer, Mallet R. Reid, and Ximena L. Murillo has been published online in the International Journal...

Honoring Our Beloved Advisor and Supporter

After two and a half decades of committed service in his role as CEO, Bob Reid has stepped down from the JF Maddox Foundation. For the past 10 years, he has also volunteered and served as an advisor for an international global development organization based in...

Celebrating U4C’s Anniversary in 2020

Happy Anniversary U4C!! United4Change Center was launched 8 years ago out of a commitment to social justice and peace. Today, we want to acknowledge, with love and gratitude, all the wonderful people who have supported and worked with us throughout the years. Because...

Great Impact in Honor of Poonam R. Kumar

Great Impact in Honor of Poonam R. Kumar By U4C Team The Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education Alumni established a COVID-19 Fund honor Poonam R. Kumar, a beloved friend HBS alum, with the goal of responding to urgent needs related to the pandemic,...

The HBS Executive Education Alumni COVID-19 Fund

Sharing a new Publication By U4C Team The Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education Alumni COVID-19 Fund has been established to honor Poonam R. Kumar, a beloved and deceased HBS alum, with the goal of responding to urgent needs related to the pandemic,...

Leadership Matters Most in Times of Crisis and Uncertainty

Leadership Matters Most in Times of Crisis and Uncertainty By Bob Reid, Ph.D When serious challenges arise, or even just routines have disrupted the importance of leadership becomes even more significant. In the context of the Covid-19 challenge, people are...

We Could Not Do it Without YOU: A Special Thank You

A Special Thank You By U4C Team On March 30th the U.S. celebrated Doctors' Day – we want to honor and thank doctors for all they do, especially in these very trying times. Doctors selflessly dedicate themselves to others and often risk their own well being to be of...

Some Thoughts on Peace Building

By Yale Jones The Institute for Economics and Peace states, “Peace is more than just the absence of violence. Peace is ensuring there is justice for all.” They state elsewhere that “positive peace” creates the optimal environment for humanity to flourish. Another...

Eugenia

Eugenia had the misfortune of being born in a country where women in rural and mining areas live in extreme poverty and under very difficult conditions. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America where some women are often viewed as having only two...

Youth Policy Participation in Latin America and the Caribbean

Creating a Sustainable Future Creating a sustainable future depends on a variety of crucial factors, including the need to actively engage youth in pivotal policy-making processes. How do young people today view the government? Do they feel disconnected? Do they feel...

Shaping Women’s Political Participation in Iran

The question What factors are hindering women's political participation in Iran? Dr. Saeideh Shariati, a Rotary Peace Fellow, recently conducted a study "Influence Investigation of Iranian Women's Political Participation from Their Economical and Social Base, " which...

Meet our Partner in Kenya

United4Change Center has partnered with Women Arise for Positive Change in Kenya led by Elizabeth Ngere, who is a social entrepreneur, a recent graduate of the Rotary Peace Fellowship program at Chulalongkorn University, a wife and a mother of five children. She is...

My Name is Vicenta

I am a 39 year old widow and now a single mother of 3 children. Having lost my husband in a work-related accident, I am now responsible to provide for my children and father. Life is difficult in my community and women like me had to drop out of school to help our...

Empowering Women and Girls: Outcomes of the UN 63rd Session on the Commission on the Status of Women

The Theme Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls We recently had the opportunity to attend the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters in...

Banding Together

Our Story "This team really worked really hard with community members to set up a Women Support and Training Center despite the high altitude of the Andes Mountains and extremely cold temperatures. While our team had little prior experience working together, there was...

Economic Empowerment Rotary Foundation Global Grant

United4Change Center has been working with Rotary Foundation, many Rotary Clubs from Districts 5520 and 5730 - Hobbs, Lovington, Carlsbad, East Odessa, West El Paso, Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Roswell, Santa Fe & the Rotary Club of San Jorge-Bolivia, as well as the...

Meet Our Partner in Tanzania

Peacemakers for Albanism and Communities in Tanzania (PAC) was founded by Sr. Martha Mganga. Having been referred to as a modern-day Mother Teresa (Bemma 2013), Sister Martha is a social worker, human rights advocate, and evangelist in the Anglican Church. She was...

Literacy & Healthcare Rotary Foundation Global Grant

United4Change Center is the recipient of a global grant from the Rotary International Foundation. Ximena Murillo, President & CEO, said “for the past year, we’ve been working with three Rotary Clubs (Hobbs & Lovington, New Mexico, and San Jorge La Paz,...