ROFé: Empowering Youth with IT Skills and Confidence!

Stepping into the welcoming offices of Fundación ROFé - Toca una Vida in Bogotá on my first-ever trip to Colombia, I was struck by the energy and positivity radiating from the team. Their mission was clear: empower marginalised youth not through handouts, but by equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the booming IT sector.

Founder and Executive Director Ana Margarita Velásquez M. embodies this belief. As she explained, "At ROFé, we recognise that before someone can be given a second chance, once they have truly had access to their first. We provide the tools and support young people needs to build a dignified future on their own terms."

ROFé is now in their 7th?year of operations with programmes across Colombia, Uruguay and Ecuador and their reputation is rapidly spreading. This year alone, ROFé welcomed more than 600 girls and boys from low-income families into their?Jóvenes creaTIvos programme where participants are given training to achieve economic stability through in-demand roles in IT fields.

As a second-year grantee, ROFé is receiving both capacity building and funding support from EMpower for their work in the Colombian city of Cali, where the Jóvenes creaTIvos programme is providing marginalised?young women and men with fundamental IT skills as well as?job-seeking skills such as?resume writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies, among others.

But ROFé offers far more than just job training. Many programme graduates share that ROFé has given them the confidence to break free from the cycle of poverty, noting that while the IT training is?valuable, it's the newfound confidence and belief in themselves that truly makes the difference.

This inner transformation is fueled by essential life skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, alongside targeted IT training. As members of this community, participants have access to an online portal with job listings, mentorship, and networking resources—a lifelong support system that will continue to illuminate their path of economic stability.

ROFé's impact has extended beyond Colombia, with recent expansion into Uruguay and Ecuador, in 2023 and 2024 respectively, through train-the-trainer initiatives. But their true success lies in the transformed lives of their??participants, proving that sometimes, all it takes is a first chance.

Article by: Robin Barnes, MBA , EMpower’s Director of Development, USA