Transform The Lives of 5 Entrepreneurs in Colombia

Dear Donors,

The Together for Colombia team and Interactuar hopes that you are doing well. We hope you are excited for the upcoming holidays!

We have raised nearly $600 since the last project report! A huge thanks to you, our donors, for making that happen! We can’t wait to tell you how the funds will be implemented and how it will improve our entrepreneurs’ lives.  

A few weeks ago, a fellow team member and I went to visit our project partner organization, Asociación Amigos con Calor Humano. We got the chance to talk with a few members of the organization.

We spoke to Martiza, an area leader of the organisation, who told us about how rather than trying to change society and culture as a whole,  Amigos focuses on working with their associates from the ‘inside-out’. Amigos nurtures the individual by strengthening their confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness, as well as their understanding of relationships with others, and the way in which greater society might see them.

Martiza then brought in Carlos so that we could hear his story and perspective. Carlos got glaucoma when he was nine years old and eventually became blind. He struggled with education but his family encouraged him and even though it was difficult to find a job, he became a lawyer and now works with the Amigos association. He emphasized that at Amigos, they provide the skills needed to go out and compete with the labor force and to earn equal opportunities. People with disabilities have more barriers to break through than the average person, which is why learning self-confidence is so valuable.

Carlos’ friend was also present and he told us his story and his views. He lost the use of his legs during a gang battle when he was sixteen years old. He informed us on what the working culture in Colombia is like for people with disabilities and said that they need to work with further determination to prove to the employers that they are able to do their job well. He also told us that entrepreneurship is great for people with disabilities because if their business goes well then they can help others who are in a similar situation.

The reason why having conversations like this is so important is because it brings an entirely new, personal, and cultural perspective about people with disabilities in Colombia. What we took away from the enlightening conversation was that equal opportunities are hard to acquire for people with disabilities but that they are willing and able to prove themselves to society. These people may be known as being disabled but I disagree because in reality, they are able and determined.  

Amigos and Interactuar work together to provide better job opportunities and training to help them succeed. You, as donors, play an enormous part in this partnership. Without your support, we would not be able to produce the job opportunities and training.

We would like to thank you deeply for your continuing support and we look forward to passing on more good news to you regarding the project’s development in the New Year.

With best wishes for Christmas and the whole holiday period,

Daniel