Digital Literacy Colombia Project #64031

50 over 50: Ignite Senior Talent with Code

by MAKAIA

Project Report | Jul 28, 2025
It's Never Too Late to Learn: Angela's Journey

By Andrea Chajin | Crowdfunding Professional

At MAKAIA, we believe that age should never be a barrier to learning. Thanks to your support, we’re breaking stereotypes and creating real opportunities for older adults to enter the digital workforce. Since our last update, 35 participants began a rigorous Bootcamp in Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence—selected from over 2,000 applicants. Among them is Ángela, a 52-year-old Venezuelan woman living in Colombia.

Ángela heard about the opportunity through WhatsApp community groups and applied immediately.

“These kinds of programs are usually for young people between 18 and 28. As soon as I saw it was for people over 50, I signed up. I’m passionate about artificial intelligence, programming, and everything that’s innovative.”

The journey hasn’t been easy. Ángela had to shift her entire routine to attend four hours of daily classes.

“The biggest challenge has been the transformation. I had to change my habits, my work schedule—everything. But I’m happy. I’ve adapted. I’m proud. This is my first time in a Bootcamp, and it’s fast-paced, modern, and exciting.”

Professionally, the program has opened new doors.

“Before, I only used Excel. Now I’ve learned Power BI, Business Intelligence, Python—tools that are truly valuable in my field.”

For Ángela and others, challenges included learning a completely new language—coding—and having the right equipment.

“One limitation was having a good computer with enough memory. But the scholarship gave us access to high-quality equipment. That has made a big difference.”

Her story is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and transformation:

“No one ever said learning is only for the young. At 52, I embarked on this Bootcamp journey, and it has truly transformed my life.”

Thank you for walking alongside learners like Ángela. Because of your generosity, we’re proving that lifelong learning is not just possible—but powerful.

With gratitude,
The MAKAIA Team

Permalink

Apr 10, 2025
Senior Talent in Data: Digital Inclusion

By Ana Isabel Restrepo Guerra | Project leader

The Information Technology (IT) industry in Colombia is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified talent, with over 162,000 job vacancies projected by 2025. Simultaneously, economic exclusion among people over 50 years old is deepening: according to the ILO, the percentage of older adults without employment or pension income in Latin America reached 34.5% in 2021, the highest level since 2012.

This population faces a dual challenge: exclusion from the labor market and lack of training aligned with high-demand sectors like technology. Yet, they represent a group with strong learning potential, discipline, and experience that can be harnessed if given the right tools.

Proposed Solution

Makaia is launching an intensive training pilot in Data Analytics targeted at individuals aged 50 and over. The program’s objectives are to:

Identify and develop their technical and professional potential.
Facilitate their entry into the technology sector.
Help them meet the legal requirements to access a pension, through employment or self-employment.

Training components include:

Database design and modeling.
Programming languages: SQL and Python.
Creation of interactive dashboards (Power BI).
Practical applications of Artificial Intelligence.

The training is delivered 100% remotely, allowing participation from anywhere in the country.

Expected Results

Train 35 individuals aged 50+ in data analytics tools.
Develop job-ready skills aligned with the needs of the tech industry.
Launch job placement initiatives with partner companies.
Promote self-employment and formal work that supports financial security and pension eligibility.

Project Progress

Between February 18 and March 19, 2025, we held a nationwide open call. We received 1,836 applications, from which 35 participants were selected. Training begins on April 23 and will conclude in August, when job placement efforts will start.

Call to action:

We seek strategic partners and resources to help scale this pilot, document its impact, and replicate it in other regions. Through GlobalGiving’s support, we aim to:

Expand program coverage to more people and communities.
Improve participants’ access to technology and equipment.
Fund full scholarships for future training cohorts.

Investing in this program means addressing the structural unemployment of older adults while bridging the tech talent gap in Colombia.

Permalink

Dec 12, 2024
Coding Beyond Age: Empowering Seniors to Thrive

By Ingrid Espitia | Bootcamp Director

Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia!

In Colombia, the reality for senior citizens is challenging. Only 25% have retirement income, while 15% depend solely on informal or precarious work to make ends meet. For individuals aged 50 and older, navigating significant life transitions often comes with financial uncertainty and limited opportunities to remain economically active. Our program, 50 Over 50: Ignite Senior Talent with Code, seeks to address these challenges by equipping seniors with coding and programming skills, empowering them to embrace this new stage of life with confidence and stability.

One of the most inspiring participants in our program is José , a 55-year-old Front-End Developer from Bogotá. José joined the Bootcamp with a desire to stay professionally relevant while also caring for his elderly mother. During the program, he acquired valuable technical skills, such as designing programs and protocols, while mastering critical soft skills like time management, adaptability, and teamwork. Balancing his studies with his household responsibilities, José demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience.

The program profoundly impacted José’s emotional, professional, and personal growth. He shared how learning to manage his emotions constructively enriched his daily life and interactions. Professionally, he surpassed his own expectations, realizing that with determination, no goal is out of reach. José reflected on overcoming the initial challenge of applying new concepts and credited the program with giving him the confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Through our initiative, we are breaking stereotypes about aging and proving that it’s never too late to learn new skills or begin a new chapter. Thanks to you, participants like José will have the tools to achieve financial stability, embrace change, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Thank you for joining us in this important journey.

Permalink

1 2 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.