A young woman’s journey into digital entrepreneurship and empowerment thanks to SENATIC and the ILO
From Maicao, in the heart of Colombia’s Caribbean region, Duarenis Yiseth González proves that passion, talent and education can open powerful paths.
24 April 2025
BOGOTÁ (ILO News) Today, at just 18, she combines her love for beauty, modelling and entrepreneurship with the digital tools she has acquired thanks to SENATIC a joint initiative by the Ministry of ICT, SENA and the ILO.
Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela and raised across two countries, Duarenis Yiseth embodies the joyful spirit of the Caribbean. At the age of eight, she was brought to Riohacha by her Colombian family in search of new opportunities. Five years ago, they settled in Maicao, where she now lives with her mother, stepfather and two siblings.
The warm winds and cultural richness of La Guajira witnessed her growth and dreams. Although her initial encounter with SENATIC a technical training initiative jointly implemented by the Ministry of ICT, SENA and the ILO wasn’t love at first sight, she soon found a space in its classes to harness her talent.
“At first, I thought SENATIC was just another obligation, but it turned out to be the key that opened the doors to my life project,” Duarenis says with a confident smile. Through the Digital Content Creation course, she discovered that the tools she was learning had a direct application to her entrepreneurial venture a small beauty salon run from her home, where women come to have their eyebrows, hair or nails done.
The course has helped her not only improve her presence on social media, but also present her services professionally through photos, videos and digital strategies. What’s more, she now plans to launch a clothing line, broadening her entrepreneurial horizons even further.
A graduate of a comprehensive beauty academy in Maicao, Duarenis also stood out in a beauty contest organised by her school, MAJO, where she won the crown and, as a result, received a scholarship to study modelling at the University of La Guajira. Today, she models at events both as a showcase for her talent and as an additional source of income and personal growth.
“Beauty opens doors, but knowledge gives you the confidence to walk through them and leave your mark,” she says enthusiastically, as she joyfully prepares to begin the second cycle of the SENATIC programme. Her new goals: to study Social Communication, become a professional, and continue inspiring other young people like her to dream big.
Duarenis is especially proud to be part of the first ever graduating class from Year 11 at Rosa María Parodi Medina School in Maicao to receive a technical qualification. It is an achievement that not only makes history, but also strengthens her educational and professional journey.
From the magical Colombian Caribbean, Duarenis encourages other young people to take advantage of opportunities like SENATIC: “Many see it as an obligation, but if they open their eyes, they’ll see that it’s a tool to turn their dreams into reality.” With gratitude and determination, Duarenis González moves forward because when talent meets knowledge, no border can stand in the way of what’s possible.
