Economic Growth Colombia Project #59419

Help Colombian women become social entrepreneurs!

by Corporacion Todos Podemos

Help Colombian women become social entrepreneurs!

Project Report | Jul 24, 2024
Meet some of the women you are supporting!

By Alex Applefield-Alvarez | Director

Team work is esencial to the learning process

Hey! We have some exciting news!

Once again, I'd like to thank you for your unwavering support as a co-funder of the transformative project Help Colombian women become social entrepreneurs!. Your contribution has been instrumental in driving positive change and empowering women entrepreneurs in Medellin, Colombia. I'm excited to share our recent progress and upcoming plans with you.

Project Milestone: Training Phase Completed

First, I am thrilled to announce the completion of the training phase of our project! The women who participated in our program now have a sustainable business plan for their socially and environmentally impactful ventures. Their dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring. Below are a few pictures from our training sessions. I also invite you to check out our Instagram and Facebook profiles (@todosPodemosConsulting), where we have posted some short videos of our entrepreneurs.

What’s Still to Come?

a) Pitch Presentation: In just over a month, our participants will present their business plans to potential funders and partners. This is a crucial step in turning their ideas into reality, and we're working with them really hard to get them ready to shine.

b) Ongoing Mentorship: For the next six months, we will continue to support these entrepreneurs through regular calls and visits to their businesses, ensuring they have the guidance they need to succeed.

c) Fundraising Raffle: To help them secure additional funding, we are organizing a raffle with and for them. The women will be donating some of their products, and we will also contribute with online social entrepreneurship course.

Here is a short video where you can learn more about these incredible women and our campaign:

Click here for the video (English subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAz-XYMR9l4

If you're able to, we would be thrilled to have you participate in this initiative! Donations to this project, right here in GlobalGiving will count toward the campaign and automatically make you eligible for raffle prizes. Your involvement makes a significant difference in the success of these women entrepreneurs, and you may even win one of our entrepreneurs' products! ;)

As always, I will keep you posted on our progress and the impact we are making together.

Thank you once again for your continued support!

Warm regards,

Alex

Our entrepreneurs often mentor each other

The process should be fun!

Me supporting one of our entrepreneurs at a fair

Value proposition made simple

The joy of figuring things out

Learning about clean websites from a special guest

Sometimes confusion is a necessary step...

Links:

Todos Podemos' website

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Dec 26, 2023
It's been a while but here are some exciting news!

By Alex Applefield-Alvarez | Director

Visit to Diana's studio with our volunteers

Hey!

I know it's been a while and I apologize. To try and make up for it, I'd like to share some exciting news with you!

But before anything else, the Todos Podemos team and the communities we work with would like to reiterate our gratitude for your support. Here are a few of the achievements that were made possible by our community of contributors. (I've attached a few pictures)

18 community leaders and entrepreneurs trained in environmental best practices
12 economically and environmentally sustainable projects initiated in 4 rural communities in Colombia
30 families with improved living conditions
Projects in the Colombian Andes and Caribbean, as well as in Guadalajara, Mexico
New local and international partners
Volunteers from 3 different continents

Again, none of this would be possible without your support!

As we prepare for next year, we are excited to finally be able to give you an update on the "Adopt a Dream" project, which you are a crucial part of!

This project will make a lasting impact on the lives of underserved women trying to start a small business in Medellín, Colombia. Through your generous support, we will train and mentor a group of up to 25 driven low-income women so that they can provide environmentally friendly products and services that their community needs, while earning a sustainable income for themselves and their families. To be able to accept 25 women in the program, we need to raise 9,125 USD. So far, we have the funds for the first 7 women and the campaign will end on December 31. We are reaching out to as many potential sponsors and donors as possible this week, so more women can benefit from this opportunity. But we need your help spreading the word! Your support during this period will contribute significantly to the success of this project.

Who are these women?

To give you an example of the impact this project will bring, let me introduce you to Diana (in the middle of the picture at the top of this report), an amazing woman from one of our past cohorts. Diana is a 34 year old self taught photographer. She is the mother of two teenage girls that she works hard to support. But Diana Diana doesn’t only look after her family, she is also a positive role model who trains, employs and mentors women from her community, to help them face difficult situations. In addition, she is now working on a second project: producing and distributing eco-friendly shampoo, as a means to provide many more women with a much needed source of income.

To give you some context, data shows that women in Colombia earn about 40% less than men for similar work, while additionally spending over 7 hours per day on unpaid tasks such as household chores and family care.

By allowing a low-income woman to start a business, your generosity will make a lasting impact in her life, while paving the way for others to come.

How can you help even more?

We know that you’ve already given to this project, and we are extremely thankful! If you know anyone (friends, family, colleagues…) who may want to participate, please tell them about this project. We only have a few days left!

All the project information is available at https://todos-podemos.com/index.php/adopt-a-dream/. I've also attached a PDF overview with this email.

All donations made through GlobalGiving are tax-deductible in the US and UK and can be made here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-colombian-women-become-social-entrepreneurs/

Every dollar brings us one step closer to achieving our goals and creating a future that is fair and sustainable.

What happens next?

In January, we will open the application process and rigorously select the best candidates based on need, motivation and potential. The training will start in February. Of course, we will send you updates and pictures!

Together, we can make a lasting impact. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission to empower change.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and fulfilling holiday season!

PS: Please feel free to email us or Whatsapp me if you have any questions +57 311 583 2687.

Warm regards and Happy Holidays,

Alex

Director – Todos Podemos

Our entrepreneurs from the Caribbean coast

Jeinnys makes eco-friendly soap in reused bottles

Links:

Attachments:

"Adopt A Dream" Campaign Overview (PDF) (PDF)

4 Attachments

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