[Translated from Spanish]
Thank you very much for the communication. Indeed today I was looking at the photos of the date of May 2017, when we visited the City of Pensacola. It was a pleasant experience to know the different entities that always contribute to improving the quality of life of the citizens of your country.
Having been part of an International Visitor of Women Leaders and as Honorary people from Pensacola, Florida, gave me the security of continuing to work on the different actions in favor of women and youth in my country. With the support of the Inter-American Foundation -IAF- of the United States Government, in my organization called Centro de Desarrollo Integral para la Mujer -REDMAYA / CEDIMUJER NGO, based in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, I have worked on training programs on citizenship and leadership directed to women, including a sub-program of local and regional internships for young women to carry out experiences in local government institutions in Huehuetenango, Guatemala; because there is unemployment and difficulties for young women to be hired in private companies and government institutions, because they ask for “experience” and they do not acquire that while there are no opportunities; That is why we grant around 11 young women (20 to 32 years of age) to carry out an Internship of 160 hours of professional experience in public institutions such as: Presidential Secretariat for Women, Municipal Directorate for Women, Ministry of Labor, Municipality from Aguacatán, Huehuetenango, Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala and other institutions.
Also, technical courses, and training processes on Entrepreneurship or business, so that women know the basic tools to start and communicate about their businesses in their communities and regions. That is what I learned from the country of the United States, that jobs and initiatives can be created that improve the quality of life for women.
I would like to take advantage of the communication to see if there is any interest from any organization or the government of the State of Florida to share the experience with organizations of women and women entrepreneurs.
Thank you so much for making us feel like a part of Pensacola, Florida; and to continue communicating it is an honor to have been and known part of the society of this place.
Alicia López
IVLP alumna
