Visit to see Citi e for education impact in Peru

Posted 02 October 2018 in EMpower News, Grantee Partner News   |   Share

On September 26th, Citi representatives joined EMpower Senior Program Officer for Latin America Daniel Parnetti in Lima, Peru to hear first-hand the impact of EMpower grantee partner Asociación Kallpa! Gathering at its Center for Youth Employment and Inclusion, Kallpa’s Executive Director and Director of Programs from Cusco shared how funds from the Citi e for education campaign has helped vulnerable youth finish school and obtain job placements.

Kallpa helps at-risk youth become prepared for, and obtain, stable decent employment. They assist young participants to develop their resumes and cover letters, help with job interviews through mock interviews, assist with job search techniques and pair the young people with potential employers. Every day, hundreds of young people and employers meet at the Youth Center for interviews. The program over time has helped thousands of vulnerable youth to access their first job.

After a round of Q&As at the event, Citi representatives were able to speak with Kallpa program participants informally and ask about their lives.

One young man, Cristopher, is 22 years old. He explained how, with Kallpa’s support, he managed to get a job. “I told my mother that I wanted to go to the Center for Youth Employment and Inclusion. I wanted to make my own money and contribute to my family’s finances. At the beginning, I was very nervous, but my mother was more so. I insisted and in the end, she let me join the program. 

I received help in developing my resume and got prepared to participate in job interviews. I sent many resumes and managed to get an interview. I introduced myself and explained what I could do. After waiting for two months, I finally got a call for a follow-up interview, where I was offered a job as an assistant at a clothing store. 

My first day wasn’t easy, as I was shy and nervous, but my co-workers were very welcoming. I now have many friends, everybody knows me and I’m loving what I do.”

Seeing and speaking with young people who are becoming empowered through education and vocational skills training to reach their fullest potential highlights the enormous importance of initiatives like e for education. EMpower is very grateful for having been a part of the past 5 years of e for education, and for being a partner with Citi this year during the 6^th global campaign. We are happy to be able to bring young people from local organizations like Kallpa together with Citi to see and celebrate this work!