On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, an official emphasized that Mexico's healthcare system would be inconceivable without the active participation of those who provide support even in conditions of personal need, a form of dedication he defined as one of the most profound expressions of volunteering.
María Alejandra Alegría Arrieta, president of the PNAVS 2025 Organizing Committee and head of the Coordinating Unit for Linkage and Social Participation of the Ministry of Health, highlighted that this award is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Welfare, whose objective is to make visible those who dedicate their time, talent, and humanity to transforming the living conditions of others.
The group received a distinction, a silver medal, and an economic stimulus, consolidating itself as a benchmark in community practices adapted to specific cultural and territorial contexts.
In the individual category, the awardee was Zenaida Hernández Gómez, recognized for her extensive career in defending the rights of indigenous women in Chiapas, her work in training processes for artisans, and her comprehensive accompaniment of people in vulnerable situations.
In the group category, the award was given to the Chatino Collective, from Oaxaca, in recognition of its community work with a gender and intergenerational perspective for the benefit of children, youth, and women. In the youth category, the award was given to Yeni Yoali Olvera Tolentino, from the state of Hidalgo, for initiatives focused on environmental and nutritional education, local food production, and community management for access to clean water in rural areas, a work that combines sustainability, health, and food sovereignty.
Honorable mentions were also given to Huerto Urbano Esperanza Verde in Zumpango, State of Mexico; to the Asociación Contra el Cáncer Tecomense I.A.P.; to the collective Lady Meche, in Mexico City; and, in the youth category, to Juana Lisset Chan Naal, from Campeche, for her work in cultural preservation and strengthening community development.
