Transform The Lives of 5 Entrepreneurs in Colombia

Today was an emotional day for both Ana Sofía and the Together for Colombia team.

Sofía contracted polio when she was only 2 and lost full use of her legs and right arm. We have been working with Sofía since the beginning of this year, supporting her through our project ´Transform the Lives of 5 Entrepreneurs in Colombia’. Sofía has her own business designing and hand-making leather bags, wallets and items of clothing.

The reason that today was so special is because today we gave Sofía her new bespoke, tailor made sewing machine. The machine, that has raised and widened pedals with an extra side pane, makes use much more easy for Sofía. The machine table also stands taller than a normal machine to allow for Sofía’s wheelchair to fit underneath.

The smile on Sofía’s face as she excitedly showed us how she would use her machine was really heartwarming. She explained that by replacing her ‘nearly 100 year old machine’ we were ensuring that her products would be made to a higher quality, making them more competitive in the market. She also explained that it would be easier to teach her staff, comprised of other people from her community with disabilities, on this machine compared to the old one. Sofía’s passion for her work and dedication to helping other disabled people, who would otherwise face difficulty finding employment, was palpable. She is an amazing woman who has achieved wonderful things, despite the difficulties she faces daily. Thanks to your generous donations we were able to change Sofía’s life for the better.

Hopefully this video will show you and others how easy it is to help small business owners in Colombia and will encourage you to continue supporting them, via Together for Colombia.

So we want to say thank you again, from us at Together for Colombia and from a very smiley and grateful Sofía!!

Watch Sofía’s thank you video here.