In 2007, Give To Colombia launched what at the time could have only been called an experiment and reached out to hard-working women in Medellin who were hoping to improve their lives. These women were dreamers and entrepreneurs in their own right, but no one would support their ventures. 

Together, Give To Colombia and Corporación Interactuar created a program where these women received technical skills, entrepreneurial training and even the financial capital required to achieve their dreams. 

Among these women we find the stories of Dorieth Duque Barbosa, a single mom who created her own ice cream brand and sells these throughout the city, and Dora Cosme, who opened her own restaurant and now provides jobs for other women. Both of them were so successful that they quit their previous jobs and dedicated their selves full-time to their ventures. 

Although the program began with women who tend to invest most of their income back into their families and communities, the project expanded to include men. These men and women have joined the ranks of successful entrepreneurs and have changed their point of view that anyone with a dream can be successful. 

In the words of Dorieth, “it’s important that someone gives you that little spark to start and say “we’re here for you and you can count on us” because that’s how I see Give To Colombia. I’ve had many doubts but they have always been there. Not everyone has the resources to succeed. And when organizations like these reach out to us, there’s many people like me who will become aware that they can achieve it. You don’t start with big things. You start small and then take off with that seed, that idea, that awareness.”