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Collibri partners narrow the distance for young people in times of corona
14
May
2020
Through Collibri Foundation, Colruyt Group supports education projects for young people in challenging situations or vulnerable environments. Our partners in Belgium and abroad are monitoring the various projects for, by and with these youngsters. Focusing on education, we want to enable them to grow and reinforce their talents and skills. Corona measures complicate coaching these young people, but our partners are making every effort to assist them from a distance.
Efico Foundation connects future coffee entrepreneurs
In Colombia, Collibri partners Efico Foundation, FNC and SENA train young people to become coffee entrepreneurs, but the students are now forced to stay at home because of quarantine in their country. "For this reason, we are now teaching via WhatsApp groups", says Eduar Omar Medina Torres of FNC in Colombia. "To keep them active, the teachers are developing customised lessons, we give workshops about hand hygiene and we limit the impact of the virus together." To stay in touch with the outside world, our partners set up the 'Quedate en case' action. Young people are making colourful boards of which they make a picture with their family. They share their pictures on social media. It makes this period more cheerful and particularly more colourful for them.
Boost keeps young talent moving
To make sure young talent keeps developing in this corona period, partner Boost organises intensive remote support. Instead of the usual workshops, information sessions and meetings, the organisation stays in touch with the young people by means of a WhatsApp group, an online platform and by email. Aliza Waqar is one of them. She is happy with the support she gets from Boost. "Every week, our field manager - sort of the group's mother - sends us a mail with links to learn something. I recently clicked a link to a documentary about the oceans. I really enjoyed that one and it inspires me to learn new things."
Mentor Escale helps developing the future
Mentor Escale helps unaccompanied minor refugees in their daily life and with their schoolwork. The organisation also supports the development of social skills. "Corona measures have a huge impact here", says coodinator Aurélie Fieremans. "Still, we are trying to stay in touch with young people by means of laptops we received from our partner. They can use them to work for school from a distance and we can coach them." Sarata for instance; she is from Guinee-Bissau, 18 years old and has been participating in Mentor Escale projects for 4 years now. "I really miss my friends, but in this way we can still stay connected."
Continue supporting
"We are proud of the work of our partners", says Stefan Goethaert, member of the Collibri Foundation Board. "Even in more challenging times, they are ready for these young people. And they are very creative in doing so. We are very happy to keep supporting such a commitment. It is our way towards a warmer society step by step."