An Entrepreneurial Spirit

Born in Barinas, Venezuela, 24-year-old José David Perez fled his native country in August 2018 amid the spiralling humanitarian, economic and political situation, and crossed the border into Ecuador. When WFP began partnering with Fundacion Nuestros Jovenes (Our Youth Foundation) the following year, David’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and he got involved in preparing food for all refugees passing through the shelter. We caught up with him one busy lunchtime.

Smiling broadly behind a mask at the other end of a ropey Teams call, José David Perez begins to explain how he first arrived at the Fundacion Nuestros Jovenes shelter in the euphonious Pichincha province as a beneficiary before swiftly becoming a volunteer – and an integral one at that. “Before I arrived, there was a lot of help needed because this shelter was new so every single person that arrived had to be involved and hands-on,” says David whose mother later fled Venezuela and now lives at the shelter.

David serving food at Fundacion Nuestros Jovenes. Photo: WFP/Shareem Marquez

?At that time, there were no donations apart from certain foods – rice, beans and canned tuna – from the Jesuit Refugee Service. “I started requesting that we not repeat the same menu day after day so I started to get creative. For example, instead of rice and beans, I made croquetas.” After months of rice and beans, these fried, breaded fritters were like drops of heaven to the some 70 people who stay at the shelter at any given time.

?“Most people need one day or night [here] and they get three meals as well as shelter itself but some who are ill or have disabilities might need to stay longer. Today, we received a family from Argentina and they are now having breakfast,” – David nods his head discreetly towards the outside dining area. “We also have people who are just transiting and need a meal and a shower before they move on and then there are the refugees who volunteer and they receive food too as they clean or do odd jobs in the shelter.”

The number of volunteers is the biggest challenge at the shelter as many more are needed to keep up with the amount of food being prepared and distributed.

“Food safety [in a situation like this] is so important as there are many different people from different backgrounds so it’s very important to know how to serve food safely, how to cook it and prepare it."

"We also need to disinfect or sterilize the products as you don’t know how many hands have touched it before we get it,” says David who credits Isabel de González, president of the foundation, for spotting his skills and encouraging his involvement from the very start.

“Now, I help to review all relevant paperwork that needs to be approved and I also completed a WFP nutrition course to improve my own knowledge,” David explains, pointing out he is also responsible for buying all the food on a monthly or weekly basis and keeping up with the inventory of food and the people who receive the support. The nutrition course also helped him to start implementing weekly menus.

David preparing food at Fundacion Nuestros Jovenes. Photo: WFP/Shareem Marquez

?“Everything I have learnt reinforces the knowledge that I already had. I’ve done a food safety and quality course which helped my knowledge, especially about how to handle and serve food in addition to making it taste good and checking portion sizes,” he explains. “I also keep an eye on how food is treated and stored and of course the cleaning of all products, utensils and the kitchen.”

While Ecuador isn’t his native country, David – who has studied both electrical engineering and nursing support in a former life – feels a strong pull from the universe to help: “I’m a very spiritual person, so it feels like I have a purpose. I didn’t think I’d ever have to leave my country but when the time came I told my nephews that I would need to find my purpose. So this is a way I can help. I feel more human and have more sympathy for people. As a young person, I believe that we should be more supportive of people and help your projimos…neighbours?’ – he glances at the WFP field monitor to his right to check his translation – “no matter what.”

?A small cafeteria tucked away inside the shelter is open to any refugees with an entrepreneurial spirit like David to showcase their skills and sell their homemade desserts or bread. “I believe I have to take advantage of all opportunities that come to me. I did a baking course and my dream is to open a bakery. Here I cook bread or cakes every week to sell in the cafeteria.”

Studying electrical engineering, nursing and baking in one lifetime isn’t for the faint of heart but David isn’t finished yet. “I am all the time looking for new courses so if I’m able to do any other course then I will because I believe it will help me in the future. It will mean maybe even one day I can work for an NGO or another organisation that helps people. Everything that [is related to] improving food I would love to work in that.” Above the mask, his eyes are smiling again. He’s got to rush off – lunch is about to start.

Story by Suzanne Fenton