“It is a unique opportunity to create, socialize, work as a team, which helps each of us to see the capabilities we have. Entrepreneurship helps us to see the new possibilities that present themselves in the face of needs.”
These are the words of Mónica Lilian, one of the 920 mothers of the students of the San Vicente De Paul School of Fe y Alegría participating in our project ‘Vocational schools for the improvement of employability and labor insertion’, which seeks to improve income alternatives for women from Capiatá, Paraguay.
Improving living conditions
Monica is the mother of a child who was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Previously, she devoted her time and effort mainly to caring for her son, which greatly limited her opportunities for entrepreneurship and seeking other sources of income.
However, thanks to the training she is receiving, Monica is now able to dedicate herself to making and marketing fabrics, while her son receives quality care and education at Fe y Alegría’s San Vicente De Paul School. Monica feels that she is participating in a productive activity that she enjoys and that is also a source of income for her family.
This is precisely what we seek to generate with the project: to provide these enterprising women with the opportunity to improve their living conditions through training in job skills such as fabric making. This opens the door to more options for entrepreneurship and employment, allowing them to develop professionally and ensure a more promising future.
Challenges for women entrepreneurs
“This course does the population a lot of good to encourage entrepreneurship and for women. It is very good to see that more things can be done. To change the future you first have to change yourself.”
Women entrepreneurs in Capiatá, like Mónica, face challenges that are not only specific to the place where they live, but also gender-related. They are in an unequal situation compared to men, with limited access to productive resources and less access to credit due to lack of access to property and other assets.
A large part of the local population is in vulnerable conditions, with basic needs unmet, and many depend on informal employment, such as street vendors, which generates great economic instability.
The area is also exposed to frequent flooding, which puts families at health and safety risk. The community also faces high levels of insecurity, as well as addiction problems among young people.
Women entrepreneurs: building community
“For me, it’s like therapy; the things that make you feel good fly by,” says Monica about her experience in the entrepreneurship courses.
In addition to acquiring tailoring skills, Monica and her classmates develop social skills through teamwork, promoting collective recognition and fostering joint learning in which everyone can contribute and learn from each other.
This space allows them to get away from the daily routine, giving them a moment to forget about their obligations and enjoy the company of others while they learn and share experiences.
For Monica, the satisfaction she experiences while participating in the workshop has a positive impact on her mental well-being. Beyond the economic benefits and future opportunities it offers, the workshop acts as a therapeutic space that allows her to find joy and personal fulfillment.
