The reason I love being a facilitator is because I enjoy what I do. Helping others find hope and ways to improve their relationships in every way, as well as discover their life’s purpose, is what drives me and motivates me to guide each person through this process. Walking alongside them and witnessing that process of transformation in their lives makes me very happy and, at the same time, fills me with gratitude because I also learn something new every day from each of the participants. It is definitely a beautiful process of mutual growth. And I have discovered in each of them that helping and guiding them is also part of my life’s purpose. Seeing each of them at the end of the process, happy and significantly improving their lives, is also a personal achievement for me, and I say to myself: “Thank you, God!” because I have been an instrument of yours for each of these people.
Ana
I enjoy being a Vida Plena facilitator because it allows me to support people during an important time in their lives. It has been incredibly meaningful for me to listen to their stories, learn about their experiences, and provide them with a space where they feel understood. Every session reminds me of how important it is for people to have a safe place to speak openly and feel supported. I also feel that this process allows me to learn a great deal and grow both as a person and as a facilitator.
América
I wanted to become a support group facilitator to be able to share my knowledge about mental health with others. By first providing people with information about what mental health is and then the signs and symptoms of depression, we will be able to reach people all across Ecuador. The goal is to provide support to the people who need it most, and so in that way contribute to the overall mental health of the country and its development.
Andres
Mental health care is critically needed in today's world where living with depression is considered natural and normal. The fast pace of life and even cultural norms such as "machismo" teach us to repress our emotions and not seek help. That is why I firmly believe that promoting mental health is a way to free many people from the ties that hold them back, and support them so that they have a full and healthy life so that they can ultimately fulfill their dreams.
Ariel
I enjoy being a facilitator for Vida Plena because, for me, it’s a deeply enriching experience. Every time I provide emotional support to someone, I learn about myself through their stories. I enjoy helping people build the skills and tools they need to cope with the most common emotions—the ones we least like to feel.
Cynthia
Diego
Being a facilitator at Vida Plena is very meaningful to me because it allows me to support real processes of change in people. Beyond the sessions themselves, it’s about creating a space where everyone can feel heard, understand what they’re going through, and begin taking steps toward their well-being.
What I value most is seeing how, little by little, people gain confidence and clarity and allow themselves to express themselves. Being part of that journey, through respect and active listening, is something that moves me deeply.
It has also been a process of personal growth for me. Every story reminds me of the importance of community and care. That’s why, for me, it’s not just a role, it’s a commitment to people’s well-being and dignity.
Elena
I would like to serve the community as a facilitator, to help people in the midst of their personal growth and in the midst of their suffering. I want to share my knowledge with others, and to learn myself through the process, so I can ultimately serve others better. I want to be of help, and to walk alongside people in the midst of the pain and whatever circumstances they are going through.
Erica
What inspired me to be a facilitator as part of this great project that is Vida Plena, is the ability to be able to help people, to be able to gain new experiences, to share with others, and more than anything to work as part of a team; because it is so fundamental to give and receive support; to know that we all have someone we can count on.
Jacqui
I was moved to become (a support group) facilitator because I love working with local communities. I believe that social support is critical, especially providing care for people in need. I have been doing this for several years now and I am excited to keep learning from the people we serve and the mental health experts with whom we partner.
Jessie
My name is Karina. I decided to become a Vida Plena facilitator because I have been an active volunteer for two years now, with a special interest in supporting migrants and refugees.
Kari
I enjoy being a facilitator at Vida Plena because I feel I can move from doing something as simple as listening attentively to doing something as complex as helping someone overcome suicidal thoughts. Along the way, I get to meet people and learn from each life story while working on something I love. The process is important and makes a difference for participants because contextual and cultural adaptations are made according to the group involved: people with disabilities, women, teachers, older adults, etc. And that, in my opinion, is the added value that Vida Plena offers.
Kasha
Lizbeth
Lupita
I enjoy being a facilitator because I love supporting people through their journeys and being there when they need me most, providing a space where they can feel heard and supported.
From the very first session, connecting with their stories is truly special. And throughout the process, it’s rewarding to see how they apply what they’ve learned, how they grow and become stronger, and how the group itself becomes a source of support for each person.
What I enjoy most is seeing their evolution at the end: when they leave with greater clarity, greater awareness, and renewed hope. Knowing that I helped them find a way forward in the midst of their journey, and that this support marked a turning point, is what makes me love it so much.
Maryluz
I think that we can achieve strong mental health for others, by first working on ourselves, and then from there, we will be able to contribute to the broader community. I believe that a small action can change the world, this is why I want to be part of this program. I am happy to be one of the Vida Plena facilitators, because I feel that we all have that potential to improve the world, and specifically, I want mental health to stop being a privilege and instead become a right for everyone and every community.
Santi
I enjoy being a facilitator for Vida Plena because it allows me to connect deeply with people and support them in their journeys in a genuine and human way. It’s truly special to see how, within the group, a sense of trust, support, and community gradually develops a place where no one feels alone.
For me, this space becomes a place where people can open their hearts, feel understood, and find hope amidst their difficulties. Being part of that process seeing how they support one another and how they heal together is something that fills me deeply.
Moreover, this journey has also transformed me, reminding me of the value of empathy, active listening, and the power that community holds for emotional well-being.
Shirley
I’ve dedicated my entire life to social work. I started volunteering at 15, and by 17 I was already supporting cultural and political processes alongside other young artists and psychologists. What has always motivated me is witnessing real transformation. I see people and families move through difficult situations and find new paths forward.
What fills me the most is the sense of reciprocity, when someone who has moved ahead begins to guide others too. In group settings, whether with youth or adults, I’m inspired by how shared experiences can connect and move people. In rural areas, for example, simply talking about emotions and everyday challenges can be something new, but it’s necessary. I find it powerful when people start to see emotional work as essential and relate it to their roles as parents, children, and neighbors. Sometimes these reflections come through humor, like little stories or anecdotes, but they always teach us something. That’s what I love most about this work: walking alongside others, weaving meaning together, and learning as we go.
Sisa
I’ve always been really interested in social causes. I believe that this project in particular is necessary because I believe in community-based mental health. I think we should focus on the communities or places where it is difficult for people to access healthcare, or there is no health care at all. I think that this is a human right that many people still are unable to enjoy.
Sol
Why do I like being a facilitator? Because I really enjoy learning, and I’ve learned so much here. The feedback has also helped me a lot. I like being attentive to people during the intake sessions, getting to know their lives, and finding ways to help. And when we get to the final session, it’s beautiful to see the journey they’ve been through. I love it when participants share what they’ve learned and express their gratitude. That’s why I enjoy it so much.
Sonia
I joined this space to be a community facilitator with the goal of constructing, and specifically constructing collectively. I want to empower people with new tools, so that they can create new connections based on empathy - I do this as a way to give back- and it is my goal to give people hope and other tools so that they can see and believe that there does exist a life beyond their current challenges and problems. I also want to create networks of support, I want to learn, to understand, and to create links - to weave connections between all people.