"Young people are really working on a brighter future. Respect!"
Colruyt co-worker Chris Claeys is impressed by the enthusiasm with which Peruvian youngsters are training to become agricultural entrepreneurs.
Ray of hope in the area
"At the end of 2019, I visited several projects of the Solid organisation in the Ayacucho region: a knitting workshop, a shelter for teenage mothers and the Jovem project, supported by Collibri Foundation. Jovem trains young people to become agricultural entrepreneurs in three years time, and reinforces them in their entrepreneurship, personal skills and agricultural techniques. Jovem is a real ray of hope in the region, with the Montefino domain as beating heart at a height of 3,800 metres, a sustainable model farm, research centre and agricultural school all in one."
Motivation and commitment
"In the first two years, the young people go to Montefino two whole weekends a month. A serious commitment, often on top of their secondary school and work at home. Students often come from far away. Hats off when you see the energy with which these young people build a brighter future for themselves, their family and their environment. Their motivation and commitment will stick in my mind forever. The project is well-organised and achieved great results in a few years time. I saw it with my own eyes when I visited graduated young people who are now running a booming business in strawberries, roses or chickens."
A valuable experience
"With the Jovem project, Solid and Collibri Foundation really make a valuable difference. The youngsters are clearly grateful for the extra opportunities. I am grateful for this valued experience, which made me realise how good our lives in Belgium are. Now that I have seen what such an education project can accomplish in the field, I would like to do more for Collibri Foundation. Making store co-workers more familiar with the different projects for instance, so they can inform our customers. And so that we can give young people worldwide a boost."
