8/7/2019 Colombia Microenterprise Project - Tearfund New Zealand

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colombia

ABOUT COLOMBIAThe fourth largest country in South America, Colombia is home to over 45

million people, making it one of the most populated nations on the continent.

With signicant natural resources and stunning scenery, Colombia is a would-be

developed nation if not for the violence that ravages the land.

A highly stratied society that traditionally favours the wealthy Spanish over

the majority, mixed-race population has created a climate ripe for unrest. Drug

cartels, left-wing insurgents and right-wing paramilitary groups combine to make

Colombia one of the most violent countries in the world, deterring tourists and

investors alike.

With a free trade agreement signed with the US, a president dedicated tocracking down armed groups, and millions of US dollars poured into ghting the

cocaine trade, some gains are being made. However despite strong economic

growth in recent years, millions still live in poverty.

TEAR FUND IN COLOMBIA

Changing the lives of 150 disabled people is the goal for the TEAR Fund

supported Empowering the Disabled project in Colombia. TEAR Fund has

been partnering with Oportunidad Latinoamerica Colombia (OLC) since

2002. Working with the disabled in Bogota naturally owed out of another

microenterprise project TEAR Fund partnered with OLC in.

Empowering the Disabled has been very successful, with OLC remaining the

best Christian microenterprise provider in Colombia. Similar to New Zealandsecondary school enterprise schemes, but providing much more hope, OLCs

strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Groups of 15 to 30 disabled people are brought together, and over a two year

period are given the skills, training and funding to start operating their own

business. Group ownership of the business promotes the social well-being of

the disabled, who are often ostracized by their communities. Working with

others lls the gaps that disability inevitably brings and opens up the way to

a brighter future.

Through forming these co-operative groups, training them in Life Plans,

technical skills, marketing, providing business monitoring and the opportunity

to sell wares at local fairs, this project gives the disabled a much-needed income,social support, and inspires self-respect. Lives truly are being transformed

through OLC and TEAR Funds work in Colombia.

QUICK FACTS

Full name:Republic of Colombia

Population:45.6 million (UN, 2005)

Capital:Bogota

Area:1.14 million sq km (440,831 sq miles)

Major languages:Spanish

Major religion:Christianity

Life expectanc:69 years (men), 75 years (women)

(UN)

Monetar unit:1 Colombian peso = 100 centavos

Main exports:Petroleum, coffee, coal, gold,bananas, cut fowers, chemicals,

emeralds, cotton products, sugar,

livestock

GNI per capita:

US $2,290 (World Bank, 2006)

Call to donate: 0800 800 777 or visit www.tearfund.org.nz

Microenterprise Project Changing Lives

8/7/2019 Colombia Microenterprise Project - Tearfund New Zealand

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MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Emiss Oozo has no hands and defomed legs. The attactive25-yea-old woman was bon with a genetic defect. She lives

with he mothe and two sistes in a baio (slum) of Bogot,Colombia. Yet, fa fom being dependent, Emiss is a talentedand capable atist.

Ask Emiss what he ambition is, and she says without pause,Deteminado de esta libe! Detemined to be fee.

This is no idle esponse. Emiss faces the dual challenge of povety

and disability. Not only ae thee economic baies that shefaces, but there are also the physical barriers of steep and difcultterrain which connes the disabled to their homes. For most, this

social isolation esults in mistust, discimination and the denial ofthei most basic human ights. They ae the unseen poo.

Living with he mothe and two sistes, Emiss is a talented atist

and craft-worker. Lying on her stomach in a modied wheelchair,the self-taught atist paints stiking landscapes in the localstyle using he mouth to hold the bush. She also painstakingly

decoates the faces of taditional dolls and othe caft items,which he mothe makes and sells in Bogots local makets.

This is no easy oad. Yet Emiss is detemined, like so many poo, to face

the challenges of povety and life in the slums with couage and tenacity.

In solidaity with he, and othe disabled in Bogots slums, isTEAR Funds Christian partner, Oportunidad LatinoAmerica

Colombia (OLC), poviding cedit fo small businesses. In the caseof Emiss and he family, a small loan puchased a sewing machineand painting supplies. By selling he caftwok, Emiss and he family

ae able to ean a living and look to impove thei situation notthough a handout, but instead a compassionate hand-up.

Ou motivation, says Opotunidad leade Alvao Velez, Is to

have a team of staff whose faith glories God, demonstrateslove fo ou people and povides sevice to them of excellence.We want to leave a lasting mak.

INVISIBLE POOrThe disabled poor the invisible poor have traditionally beenperceived as bad risks and refused loans by banks and nancial

institutions.

In reality, the disabled are highly motivated to move out of povertyinto self-sufciency. They simply need the oppor tunity to shape

effective and inclusive livelihood opportunities. In Colombia, theneed for livelihood opportunities for the disabled is exacerbated,as they have only limited access to education and skills training.

OVERCOMING DISABILITy

National Ofce:

PO Box 8315, Symonds St,

Auckland 1150

New Zealand

Freephone: 0800 800 777

Facsimile: (09) 629 1050

Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz

Website: www.tearfund.org.nz

CONTACTS:

PROJECT PROFILES

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations to help the poor create incomegeneration opportunities.

Microenterprise LoansA air credit loan empowers the poor to create a business to help them work their way outo poverty. It releases them rom relying on unscrupulous loan sharks who charge crippling

interest rates and encourages them to be sel-sufcient rather than rely on aid.

Business training MentoringLoan applicants meet specifc criteria and are trained to help them improve and grow their

businesses.

thriving BusinessesWith no welare systems and ew jobs available, small businesses are an essential part o

the economy. Behind each business there is an extended amily, employees, suppliers andcustomers who beneft.

Loans repaid

About 98 per cent o loans are repaid and the money is recycled back into the community so

others can be given the oppor tunity to realise their dreams.

CREDIT:CompassIonC

huCkBIggER

Microenterprise Project Changing Lives