Adolescent survivors of trafficking head towards socio-economic integration in Cusco
The National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare (INABIF) has trained these adolescents using the ILO's GET Ahead and Financial Education methodologies, which has provided them with effective tools to start their own businesses and reach economic independence.
28 June 2023
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Cusco - More than 20 adolescents from the "Tikarisunchis" Specialized Shelter for Trafficking in Persons survivors (CARE) in the Peruvian city of Cusco are prepared to start their own businesses in order to become economically independent and create their own decent work opportunities after aging out of that institution.
Cusco is one of the Peruvian regions with the highest number of reports of trafficking in persons, according to the Observatory of the Public Ministry.
The adolescents were trained using the ILO's GET Ahead and Financial Education methodologies, and received tools to design and implement their business plans effectively.
The services and products chosen were bakery, customized mugs, amigurumis (crochet dolls), knitted bags, filigree paintings and ceramic handcrafted works. This selection was made according to the adolescent's skills and with the guidance of their caregivers. Once the girls age out of the CARE, they will be able to start up their own businesses.
In this context, the adolescents participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Fair organized by the National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare (INABIF) of the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP), with technical assistance from the ILO and the support of the San Ignacio de Loyola University and OUR RESCUE NGO, who donated equipment and materials for the entrepreneurship projects.
"I already knew the technique; I made my first filigree painting when I was 12 years old, but I didn't believe in my talent. Here they saw my skills and helped me start planning this project. I was scared at first, I thought it wasn't going to turn out well", said Esperanza*, 15 years old. "My inspiration came from the cats I have at home, I dreamed of the day when I would return to Quillabamba, with my aunt and my cats. When I finished it, I realized that life is not going to be great all the time, but if you make an effort, you can achieve anything you want", she explained.
Mariana* is another adolescent from CARE "Tikarisunchis". She learned the culinary art of baking and pastry making back in her native country, Venezuela, and today, at the age of 15, she has started a business where she makes and sells pastries, cakes and empanadas. "I love cooking. My dad is a pastry chef in my country and, when I was seven years old, we used to make empanadas, pizza and bread together", she recalled. Thanks to the GET Ahead training, she learned how to manage her money, launch special offers and put a price on her products.
Nereida* is 14 years old and was born in Arequipa. After participating in an amigurumi workshop and discovering her skills in that art, she decided to develop her business. "Since I was a child, I really enjoyed designing and the amigurumi allowed me to continue doing so. In addition, the GET Ahead and Financial Education trainings helped me set the prices of my products, taking into account the effort invested. They taught me to value my time and work". All of Nereida's amigurumis were sold at the fair and she plans to invest the profits in creating more. "After leaving the shelter, I will make them on my own and create more designs," she said.
"This path of learning and entrepreneurship was not easy for the girls", says Silvia Porroa, educator and certified GET Ahead and Financial Education trainer from CARE "Tikarisunchis". She had to use all the knowledge she gained to motivate the adolescents to identify their talents and develop their businesses.
Caregivers from CARE "Tikarisunchis", INABIF authorities, representatives of the regional government of Cusco and the ILO participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Fair. "Our team of professionals is committed to creating an opportunity for young women to become part of the labor market and reduce their risk of being re-victimized in the future. It is a way to obtain a decent job, both if they decide to continue with their businesses or if they prefer to save money to pursue a university or technical career", said Porroa.
For María Pía Hermoza, protection national coordinator of the ILO's project Partnerships in Action to End Child Trafficking in Peru, the CARE caregivers are a great emotional support. "Their work is very valuable because they mitigate the impact of trafficking on the lives of adolescents. The word 'fear' is very common in the adolescents' testimonies because of all they have experienced at their age. The caregivers ease this fear and work on it with love and professionalism", said Hermoza.
*The adolescents' names have been changed to protect their identities.
Cusco is one of the Peruvian regions with the highest number of reports of trafficking in persons, according to the Observatory of the Public Ministry.
The adolescents were trained using the ILO's GET Ahead and Financial Education methodologies, and received tools to design and implement their business plans effectively.
The services and products chosen were bakery, customized mugs, amigurumis (crochet dolls), knitted bags, filigree paintings and ceramic handcrafted works. This selection was made according to the adolescent's skills and with the guidance of their caregivers. Once the girls age out of the CARE, they will be able to start up their own businesses.
In this context, the adolescents participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Fair organized by the National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare (INABIF) of the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP), with technical assistance from the ILO and the support of the San Ignacio de Loyola University and OUR RESCUE NGO, who donated equipment and materials for the entrepreneurship projects.
"I already knew the technique; I made my first filigree painting when I was 12 years old, but I didn't believe in my talent. Here they saw my skills and helped me start planning this project. I was scared at first, I thought it wasn't going to turn out well", said Esperanza*, 15 years old. "My inspiration came from the cats I have at home, I dreamed of the day when I would return to Quillabamba, with my aunt and my cats. When I finished it, I realized that life is not going to be great all the time, but if you make an effort, you can achieve anything you want", she explained.
“They saw my skills and helped me start planning this project… life is not going to be great all the time, but if you make an effort you can achieve anything you want
Esperanza, 15 years old
Mariana* is another adolescent from CARE "Tikarisunchis". She learned the culinary art of baking and pastry making back in her native country, Venezuela, and today, at the age of 15, she has started a business where she makes and sells pastries, cakes and empanadas. "I love cooking. My dad is a pastry chef in my country and, when I was seven years old, we used to make empanadas, pizza and bread together", she recalled. Thanks to the GET Ahead training, she learned how to manage her money, launch special offers and put a price on her products.
Nereida* is 14 years old and was born in Arequipa. After participating in an amigurumi workshop and discovering her skills in that art, she decided to develop her business. "Since I was a child, I really enjoyed designing and the amigurumi allowed me to continue doing so. In addition, the GET Ahead and Financial Education trainings helped me set the prices of my products, taking into account the effort invested. They taught me to value my time and work". All of Nereida's amigurumis were sold at the fair and she plans to invest the profits in creating more. "After leaving the shelter, I will make them on my own and create more designs," she said.
"This path of learning and entrepreneurship was not easy for the girls", says Silvia Porroa, educator and certified GET Ahead and Financial Education trainer from CARE "Tikarisunchis". She had to use all the knowledge she gained to motivate the adolescents to identify their talents and develop their businesses.
Caregivers from CARE "Tikarisunchis", INABIF authorities, representatives of the regional government of Cusco and the ILO participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Fair. "Our team of professionals is committed to creating an opportunity for young women to become part of the labor market and reduce their risk of being re-victimized in the future. It is a way to obtain a decent job, both if they decide to continue with their businesses or if they prefer to save money to pursue a university or technical career", said Porroa.
For María Pía Hermoza, protection national coordinator of the ILO's project Partnerships in Action to End Child Trafficking in Peru, the CARE caregivers are a great emotional support. "Their work is very valuable because they mitigate the impact of trafficking on the lives of adolescents. The word 'fear' is very common in the adolescents' testimonies because of all they have experienced at their age. The caregivers ease this fear and work on it with love and professionalism", said Hermoza.
*The adolescents' names have been changed to protect their identities.