Tools in Our Hands: Community Voices Advancing Rural Sexual and Reproductive Health

(Series 3 – Stories of Transformation from the Ground)

In the rural heart of Venezuela—this time in Sucre State—Rosangeles Reyes, a community promoter with Fundación Servyr, shares how grassroots work and digital tools like Aya Contigo are transforming daily realities.

This interview reveals not only the challenges faced in rural territories, but also the powerful impact of those who support women in making informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. It is a story of resilience, creativity, and community-led change.

Bridging Gaps with Trust: Rural Sexual and Reproductive Health in Practice

“The work with this community is something I love,” Rosangeles says. Community members welcome each activity as a moment of belonging—an opportunity to be acknowledged, heard, and respected.

This local connection is the foundation of effective Rural Sexual and Reproductive Health interventions. Through active listening, territory-based strategies, and relationship-building, facilitators like Rosangeles nurture trust where stigma and silence have long prevailed.

Still, barriers persist. The digital divide remains the most pressing obstacle.“We’ve tried to do everything possible… at least using our own devices so they can access the information,” she explains.

This determination exemplifies how purpose and solidarity can overcome infrastructural limitations. Even with limited connectivity, the goal remains: ensuring rural communities receive safe, reliable, and transformative SRHR information.

A Tangible Shift with Aya Contigo

Communities are increasingly adopting the Aya Contigo app as a trusted companion. Young people, women, and long-time users return to the tool again and again.

Rosangeles shares a story that stayed with her: A young woman found information about safe abortion on the app and was able to make an informed, autonomous decision.“The app gives us all kinds of tools—contraceptive methods, myths and facts… several girls keep reviewing it,” she adds.

This story highlights what is at the core of Rural Sexual and Reproductive Health: access to information that protects, empowers, and saves lives.

Listening as a Form of Empowerment

During one activity, a group of men joined the session. After learning about the app and SRHR content, one man said:“This is important because methods sometimes fail, and women now have a tool to make their own decisions.”

His words reflect a shift that breaks stigma and expands shared responsibility for SRHR.

Rosangeles also proposed developing printed materials—flyers, posters, visual guides—to complement the app. This approach would support communities during periods of unstable internet access, providing a tangible and lasting reference to Aya Contigo.“It would be excellent,” she emphasizes.

Community members in rural Sucre participate in a Servyr-led workshop introducing Aya Contigo as a safe and reliable SRHR resource.

Conclusion: Planting Autonomy, One Community at a Time

Aya Contigo is more than a digital platform—it is a companion, a guide, and a lifeline toward autonomy and collective care. In rural communities, its presence reinforces what local voices already know: when tools arrive with respect, decisions flourish with freedom.

Through organizations like Servyr and the dedication of leaders like Rosangeles Reyes,

Rural Sexual and Reproductive Health becomes a pathway to justice, dignity, and long-term community transformation.

By Roxana Vivas, Venezuela Country Lead, Vitala Global Based on an interview with Rosangeles Reyes, Community Promoter at Fundación Servyr.