Jenifer Colpas, Tierra Grata

CNN Heroes 2021 campaign

 

Moved by the extreme poverty in communities near her home in northern Colombia, 31-year-old Jenifer Colpas co-founded Tierra Grata in 2015 to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty in isolated rural communities forgotten amidst the country’s extended civil war. Her innovative non-profit, whose name means “Gratitude to the Earth,” provides sustainable access to clean energy and safe water and sanitation such as eco-toilets and showers. Through focused training and empowerment of local women, their services have already improved the quality of life for more than 10,000 people.

Read Jenifer’s story on CNN 
Video: CNN Hero Jenifer Colpas