 Nurturing Entrepreneurship in an Indigeneous Community
“Now we work with a sense of community and the word “enterprise” has a meaning for us. Before we didn’t know what it meant to have natural resources, now we value our forest, our rivers and that’s why we do organic farming. We feel empowered, and are no longer afraid to speak up”
Manolo Yela is one of the students who graduated from the Diplomado in rural enterprises for indigenous groups. He had limited management skills before attending the Diplomado, and his community – El Chical – had very little income alternatives. The “learn by doing” methodology allowed Jose and his community, to start a micro-enterprise of organic farming and commercialization as part of the degree. José and his community of 2200 people now have a business running that has strategic alliances with organizations of producers and consumers and they work under a horizontal leadership that allows for shared responsibility and community empowerment. They have been able to adapt traditional business values to their own indigenous culture. “The entire community has changed with the new business and all the skills we have learned. Thanks to the Diplomado we are no longer afraid or shy and we feel ready to confront the challenges we face!”
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