(24 Jul 2000) Spanish/Nat
Economists say Colombia is coming out of its worst recession this century – but a fifth of the population is still unable to find work.
Many believe harsh living conditions, poverty and a lack of available formal work is responsible for a rise in both crime and prostitution.
But in one small area of Colombia’s capital, the Church, in partnership with a British-based business, is helping stem the tide.
This unique partnership has provided training, work, housing, education and child care for hundreds of women who otherwise might still be on the streets.
Downtown Bogota, one of the poorest areas within Colombia’s sprawling city.
The narrow streets are lined with ramshackle housing, buildings are openly decaying.
For many people living in poor suburbs, conditions are bleak.
Unemployment is at its highest point this decade at just over 20 percent – it’s been rising steadily since 1996.
And although economists say Colombia is coming out of its worst recession this century – a fifth of the population is unable to find work.
Driving through the city, it’s apparent there are numerous red light districts.
There are few formal jobs available for women without training or education,
Prostitution is dangerous and illegal – but one sector of society has stepped in to offer a long-term solution to help women out of poverty.
Nuns belonging to the Catholic “Adoratriz” community have made it their mission to rehabilitate women on the streets through training and regular paid work.
The Sisters wander through the shady underworld, past the bars and brothels.
There they hand out leaflets outlining their programme for women in “difficult circumstances”.
Seventy years ago, the Foundation Miquelina was just a dream.
Nowadays, a mini city known as the “Cuidadela Santa Maria Micaela” exists in Southern Bogota.
Behind high stone walls and tight security, there’s a school, kindergarten, hairdressers, beauty salon, church, dentist and factory.
Without doubt, the hub and centre of the entire complex is the noisy, relentless factory of the “Creaciones Miquelinas.”
It’s this factory which generates work for nearly two hundred women and brings in revenue to fund varied social programmes.
The factory manufactures a wide range of garments.
As well as typical handicrafts, hand embroidered serviettes and table clothes, the factory specialises in outdoor sports and climbing wear.
“Paramo” is a U-K based specialist climbing and sports wear manufacturer.
It provides the factory with 80 percent of its work – and has provided monthly orders of approximately four thousand items a month for the last six years.
Diego Fernandez Sanchez, manager of Creaciones Miquelinas, says the marriage between business and social work has been incredibly successful.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
“Miquelina is a foundation which was created to support the social programmes of the “Adoratriz” nuns and in general provides employment. At this time in Colombia, during one of the most serious times of unemployment, we employ 184 direct employees and approximately a thousand indirectly.”
SUPER CAPTION: Diego Fernandez Sanchez, Manager of Miquelina Factory
The factory initially began with two machines – now it has 120.
As the factory has grown, so has the Foundation’s ability to rehabilitate women and provide them training.
Managers say the work provided by the U-K has enabled the project to flourish.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
SUPER CAPTION: Ana Lehacon, Machinist at Miquelina Factory
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
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