My name is Ian Molinas, I am 19 years old, and I have been part of the Scout Movement since I was eight years old (Scouts Association of Paraguay). Throughout these years, Scouting has played a key role in my personal development, teaching me values such as commitment, teamwork, and service to others.
As a young participant in the Leaven in the Dough project, I see its great importance because, from its very concept, it proposes a profound way of creating impact through Scouting. Inspired by the Gospel image of leaven, this approach reminds us that it is not about being many, but about being meaningful: transforming from within, allowing
the leaven to grow—in other words, enabling projects to grow and generate lasting impact.
Being part of this project has helped me understand that real change begins with active listening, or what we call synodality. Rather than imposing our own ideas, it is about sharing them in a way that encourages listening and allows new insights to emerge. This approach invites us to understand the real needs of young people in each context and to adapt to the realities of every country and association. As a result, the project becomes close to people, relevant, and genuinely useful.
The project also promotes thoughtful planning and the use of contemporary tools, including technology, to respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century and increase its impact on both beneficiaries and volunteers. Particular attention is given to the formation of volunteers as guides, capable of accompanying processes without imposing paths, allowing each young person to grow in an authentic way. In this manner, the project not only impacts those who participate directly, but also creates a multiplier effect throughout Scouting.
For all these reasons, participating in Leaven in the Dough is important because it teaches us to become agents of real change: people who, starting from small actions, can transform their surroundings with meaning, commitment, and purpose, while placing special emphasis on spirituality and the values handed down by Baden-Powell.