From Water Walks to Boardrooms: A Personal Journey in Water Advocacy

My journey with the People's Water Board Coalition began in 2021 when I joined the board of directors, but my passion for water justice took root years earlier during my time at Furman University. As an undergrad, I worked with Agua del Pueblo and Professor Bruce Clemens to organize “Water Walks” that raised over $50,000 to support water and sanitation projects in rural Guatemala. These events gave students a powerful, hands-on understanding of the daily challenges faced by communities like Sanik-Ya and Chitulul, where the funds helped launch vital infrastructure projects. What makes this work deeply meaningful to me is Agua del Pueblo’s commitment to community-led development—empowering people to lead their own progress. One of the most rewarding moments was bringing members of those Guatemalan communities to Furman to share their stories firsthand, creating a bridge of understanding and solidarity that continues to inspire my work today.