Transforming 4000 lives thru technology Venezuela

Since the beginning of operations in 2002, SUPERATEC have trained more than 24.000 people in their 19 community centers in Venezuela.  About 60% of these students are young women from low income areas, who have reached significant changes in their lives, such as empowerment, increased self-esteem, development of their life project; and increased appreciation for educationand hard work, to get better economic conditions for them and their families. There are plenty stories of young women that changed their lives, through studies, looking for future filled with promise, hopefulness, new projects, and optimism.

One of such stories is that of Magdayisell. A 28 year old woman from a little town of Venezuela, who in 2010 arrived to Caracas with her small boy hoping to find a job. After encountering many obstacles she decided to enroll in the Petare’s SUPETRATEC center.

Through this program she was able to learn technological tools that enhanced her knowledge, and, at the end of the program, she was offered to the opportunity to enter the SUPERATEC”s Job Bank in order to postulate herself for various employment options with our partner organizations.

Nowadays, Magdayisell is the manager of Petare’s SUPERATEC center, where she works training other youngsters. “This program had a great impact on me. It filled me with motivation, not only to improve myself but also to help others. It was a domino effect because I also convinced my family to enroll: my parents, my husband, my son, and even his grandparents went and studied the program, and this has filled my heart with joy”. “These training not only provides education, but also give you practical tools you can later use in your job. One of my dreams was to go to the university, and thanks to SUPERATEC this year I’ll graduate as Superior Technician in Administration. My next goal will be getting licensed. Of course we can progress and demonstrate to ourselves that we can do it!” Magdayisell said with conviction.

When we got there, we could feel the positive atmosphere, the music, and the children playing and running throughout the festive morning. A dream was coming true, one that was long awaited by the Jose Felix Ribas community, located in the largest slum in Latin America Petare Municipality,: The inauguration of the Community Center Petra Lopez.

After 3 months of planning, a group of volunteers from the CIMA Association, joined by community leaders, neighbors, and private organizations, built a space to benefit and be used by all children, youth, and adults in an area where the estimated habitants are 130.000. They invited SUPERATEC to join forces and open a new digital inclusion center, and start operations there.

In this initial phase, after training the coordinator and teachers, we aim to service 200 people during the last 3 months of 2015 through our Training Programs consisting of 120 hours of human development, technology and employment sessions, so they can later enroll in the Job Bank, to obtain their first job or, if they prefer, they can also obtain counseling to develop a small business. In this way participants are able to financially contribute with their homes or achieve economic independence.

 Dayerli, one of the participants, could not hide her excitement to begin computer and music classes: “this is the first time it is offered here in Jose Felix, my mom and dad are going to let me be part of this. 

Thanks to our contributors and supporters it is possible to continue providing this service.