A Success Story of the #Crisalidas Program in #Medellin
#Colombia; from Victim to Entrepreneur
Medellin, Colombia, Vancouver BC-
Investorideas.com, a global news source covering leading sectors including
Latin America reports on its recent trip to Medellin Colombia. Staff reporter,
Madelyn Forsyth met with some of the local entrepreneurs of the Crisalidas
program in Medellin. It was created to strengthen and promote the marketing of
different products and services developed by the victim population as part of
the process of care and support. A
shining example of the program, Adriana Restrepo, tells her story of
transformation.
Adriana Restrepo in front
of her items for sale
There are many ways to recycle unwanted
materials. Typically it gets sorted into the correct bins and away it goes.
Adriana Restrepo saw it a little
differently. In 2012 she began to manufacture her own notebooks, coasters, key
chains and more. All of these out of different material that would have
otherwise been disposed of.
Restrepo obtained the help of a program
called Crisalidas (http://crisalidas.com.co/).
The program was established to help those who have been displaced from their
communities. They are there for people who have either witnessed or experienced
the unimaginable and help them adjust to different ways of life.
Some people in the program had had their
cities attacked by gorilla forces making their homes unsafe while others had
witnessed violent acts. All of them are able to come and use the program to
help them get back on their feet.
Restrepo witnessed one of the most terrible
acts imaginable. While she was pregnant with her son, her husband was murdered
in front of her. It’s hard to imagine waking up the next day after such an
ordeal, let alone pioneering a business solely based on saving the earth and
giving back.
The passion she has behind her product is
what helps her business thrive. While visiting the Crisalidas program she
apologized for not being able to show the international media many of her
products. An apology unnecessary since the reason behind her not having product
to show was because she had sold out of every item she had in stock. So she
made do with showing us the purse she uses herself as well as her product
notebook, both bound by recycled car tires.
So far her business is still gaining
traction. She takes part in trade shows in different areas and also teaches
some classes to those wanting to create something with their own hands.
Giving back. When the world wanted to take
so much from her, Adriana Restrepo saw a way to benefit herself and the world.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/adrianarestrepoeco/
Madelyn Forsyth for Investorideas.com
Read
this release in full at http://www.investorideas.com/news/2016/main/03301.asp
About ACI Medellín http://www.acimedellin.org/en-us
In 2001, the Council of Medellín, through
agreement No.73, authorized the mayor to create an institution to seek
international cooperation. Hence, in June 19, 2002, in accordance with Article
95 of Law 489 of 1998, was constituted the International Cooperation Agency of
Medellín (ACI) as a result of a partnership between public entities: Medellin
Mayor’s office, Empresas públicas de Medellín, Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá
Valley and Empresas varias de Medellin.
ACI Medellín @acimedellin
ProColombia, the Colombian Government Trade
Bureau http://www.procolombia.co/ PROCOLOMBIA @PROCOLOMBIACO
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