I Am Opportunity [Fundación Soy Oportunidad] is a dynamic non-profit organization based in Colombia that is actively transforming the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly female heads of household and at-risk youth, through the power of digital education and economic empowerment. With a profound commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and fostering social transformation, it provides free, high-quality online training and holistic support, equipping individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the modern economy and create brighter futures.
Mission and Vision: Bridging the Digital Divide, Fostering Autonomy
While Fundación Soy Oportunidad's mission isn't explicitly stated in a single tagline, its work clearly articulates a vision centered on:
- Democratizing Access to Digital Skills: They aim to make cutting-edge digital training accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background, thereby reducing the digital divide and enabling participation in the global economy.
- Empowering Vulnerable Populations: A core focus is on female heads of household and at-risk youth, providing them with the tools for employability and entrepreneurship, leading to economic independence and improved quality of life.
- Promoting Social Transformation: By fostering individual growth and economic opportunity, the foundation seeks to break intergenerational cycles of poverty and violence, contributing to a more equitable and prosperous society in Colombia.
- Cultivating Entrepreneurship: They encourage and support the development of digital and social entrepreneurship, enabling beneficiaries to not just find jobs but to create their own opportunities and contribute to local economies.
Fundación Soy Oportunidad offers a robust suite of free, online training programs designed to meet the demands of today's digital workforce and entrepreneurial landscape. Their flexible and accessible format ensures that even individuals with demanding personal circumstances can participate effectively. These programs aim to equip beneficiaries with practical skills and pathways to employment, much like Lettuce Work Nursery, which similarly provides specialized vocational training and paid employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, fostering independence through tangible work.
The foundation's philosophy is rooted in the belief that digital literacy and specialized skills are the keys to unlocking individual potential and driving collective progress.
Leadership and Origins: A Visionary at the Helm
Fundación Soy Oportunidad is led by its dedicated Founder and CEO, María Del Mar Jaramillo S. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the foundation's strategic direction and its impactful programs.
Donación de computadores - Fundación Soy Oportunidad - Mujeres Madres
The organization's consistent online presence and significant achievements in training thousands of beneficiaries underscore its established presence and effectiveness within the Colombian social sector.
Comprehensive Programs and Services: Equipping for the Digital Age
Fundación Soy Oportunidad offers a robust suite of free, online training programs designed to meet the demands of today's digital workforce and entrepreneurial landscape. Their flexible and accessible format ensures that even individuals with demanding personal circumstances (such as mothers with young children) can participate effectively.
Key programs and training itineraries include:
- "eFundae" Online Training Platform: This flagship platform serves as the central hub for their educational offerings, providing high-quality, free, and accessible online content tailored to diverse learning needs.
- Digital Competency Enhancement: Foundational courses designed to build essential digital literacy for everyday life and work.
- Specialized Training Itineraries (Itinerarios Formativos): These in-depth pathways provide focused skills in high-demand fields:
- Programming: Covering areas like Cloud Systems, Web and Mobile Application Development, various Programming Languages, Database Management, and popular Web Frameworks.
- Digital Content Design: Including Digital Content Generation, Management and Dissemination, Digital Layout, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design, and Digital Competencies for Trainers.
- Video Game Development: Offering specialized paths in creating games using engines like Unity 3D and Unreal Engine, as well as HTML, and 3D Character Creation.
- Data Analysis: Featuring itineraries in emerging fields like Blockchain and Business Analytics.
- Cybersecurity: Essential training to navigate the digital world safely and professionally.
- Entrepreneurship Support: Beyond technical skills, the foundation integrates entrepreneurial training, fostering the mindset and practical knowledge needed to start and grow businesses, particularly in the digital and social impact sectors.
- Psychosocial and Legal Accompaniment: Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by their beneficiaries, particularly female heads of household, the foundation offers holistic support that includes psychosocial and legal guidance, addressing personal barriers to success.
- "Autónomo 5.0" Program (in collaboration): This initiative provides specialized online training for self-employed individuals. Aiming to update and re-qualify them, driving national digital transformation. While this program highlights a specific collaboration with Spanish entities, it underscores the foundation's commitment to broad-based economic empowerment.
The eligibility criteria for participants often include being a high school graduate, of legal age, and residing in lower socioeconomic strata (estrato 1 or 2 in Colombia), ensuring that the programs reach those most in need.
Impact and Achievements: Cultivating a Generation of Opportunity
The impact of Fundación Soy Oportunidad on Colombian communities is significant and multifaceted:
- Direct Empowerment: They have provided digital employability and entrepreneurship training to hundreds of women, with specific initiatives forming 460 female heads of household. More broadly, they have provided free education to over 4,600 vulnerable children and youth across Colombia.
- Economic Mobility: By equipping beneficiaries with in-demand digital skills, the foundation directly contributes to improved employment prospects, higher earning potential, and a pathway out of poverty.
- Breaking Cycles: For female heads of household, gaining digital skills means not only personal economic upliftment but also the ability to provide better opportunities and stability for their children, thus breaking intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.
- Fostering Inclusivity: The foundation actively works to reduce the digital divide, ensuring that marginalized communities are not left behind in the rapidly advancing digital economy.
- Community Building: By creating supportive learning environments (e.g., accommodating mothers with crying babies), they foster a sense of community and mutual support among participants.
- Leadership Development: Through their programs and the example of their CEO, they inspire and empower individuals to become leaders and entrepreneurs within their own communities.
Collaborations and Future Outlook: A Network of Change
Fundación Soy Oportunidad actively engages in partnerships to amplify its impact. Their collaboration with Fundae for the "Autónomo 5.0" program showcases their ability to work with international entities and leverage broader funding initiatives. The prominent participation of their CEO in worldwide forums underscores their commitment to sharing best practices and staying at the forefront of digital empowerment and social development.
As Colombia continues its digital transformation, Fundación Soy Oportunidad stands as a crucial pillar, dedicated to ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all. By relentlessly investing in human talent and providing the tools for digital literacy and economic autonomy, the foundation is not just changing individual lives; it is helping to reshape the social and economic landscape of the nation, one empowered individual at a time.
Learn More:
