sharla Garay
shi FIELD administrator (belize)
Sharla with SHI-Belize colleague Abel Osorio in September 2022
Sharla grew up on a livestock farm and learned firsthand what it means to help farmers. Sharla started with Sustainable Harvest International in 2014 as a field trainer in southern Belize. In that role, she excelled at providing farmers with the training and support they needed to become profitable entrepreneurs.
Her knowledge of finance and experience working hands-on in the farming community made Sharla an obvious choice for a new field administrator position. And in 2017, she moved across the country and embraced her new role, all in support of SHI’s expansion into northern Belize, a region dominated by sugarcane, agrochemicals, and deforestation.
Sharla harvesting cabbages from the organic garden of Estrella Chi (right) in the community of San Luis.
Her strong sense of accountability and transparency are assets in her work. “If a donor donates a dollar, I want that donor to see what their dollar accomplishes, whether it’s to plant a tree, buy seeds or do something for the community.”
A Personal mission
The feeling of helping others drives Sharla in her work with SHI and is what she most values about the organization.
Sharla dreams that SHI will reach every corner of Belize and transform livelihoods and empower women farmers. The Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations estimates that women farmers can increase agricultural yields by 20-30%, lifting 100-150 million people out of poverty.
“I feel like women can do anything once they put their mind to it because I can do anything,” says Sharla. “I love to see women working and helping in their community. As long as they put their mind to teaching their children, teaching their daughters, to do the correct thing, to be sustainable, to grow their own food, support themselves — we can continue to make a difference.”
“We as an organization are laying a foundation, not just for older generations, but for younger generations… Children see we are diverse and we don’t judge you based on your skin, your religion, your race. We work with everyone. We’re laying the foundation for a bright future… I look forward to continuing to work with SHI, working with farmers; anybody who is willing to work with us to make a sustainable life for everyone”
