Inclusion for People with Disabilities in Colombia

It is no secret that Colombia has a troubled past, almost 50 years of conflict has left many wounds we are only beginning to heal as a nation. But the silver-lining of this terrible past comes in the form of the unrelenting faith and optimism of the Colombian people.As we embark in the journey of peace talks and the construction of a post-conflict community, our organizations its thinking about ways we can contribute to this new chapter in our country while working for the social inclusion of people with disabilities.

Motivated by this and with the help of two wonderful organizations, the Matamoros Foundation –an NGO dedicated to generate new life opportunities through education, physical-emotional rehabilitation and social and labor integration programs for members of the Armed Forces and Police officers wounded in combat and their families, as well as widows and orphans of members of the Armed Forces killed in line of duty; and the Trust for the Americas – an NGO, strategic ally of the Organization of American States (OAS) that works channel human and technological resources to give greater economic opportunities to vulnerable populations-, we are doing a training session designed for trainers to learn how to use and teach the INTEL Easy step and INTEL Aprender methodologies, this next 20^th to 25^th of October.

These methodologies allow participants to use ICT tools to strengthen their digital literacy, critical thinking and collaboration skills (INTEL Aprender), and better their quality of life, both socially and economically (INTEL Easy step). The trainers will also learn how to guide beneficiaries in how to identify skills and abilities they can use in the job market or to create their own business.

Trainers from the Matamoros Foundation, supported by the Trust for the Americas, will in turn use these methodologies to teach groups of military veterans and police officers wounded in the line of duty, how to use ICT tools to build a life project and recognize and strengthen their skills to reintegrate to the labor force.

Veterans in Colombia are in need of new opportunities that will allow them to start new careers or businesses now they are no longer serving, and this training will give them the tools to find that new place in their community. Thanks to your generosity and the help of our allies we are able to train these trainers and contribute to the rebuilding of a peaceful society and support our wounded military and police officers so they can create a new life for them and their families.