El Porvenir is quite simply the most authentically grassroots and democratic third world development project I've seen in nearly 30 years of solidarity efforts with folks in poor countries trying to come into their own. Small settlements create their own leadership structures, usually largely from among the women, to work with EP's excellent, indigenous staff on water projects for the health and sustainability of their communities. The internal organization that results is probably as important as the material benefits from EP resources. First World funded efforts in poor countries seldom encourage this sort of real, functioning local leadership -- it's a frustrating way to work and takes time and humility. Somehow, EP manages this quite gracefully from what I've seen.