My name is Rafael Meza. I’m 18 years old and I live in La Guajira, Colombia. My mum has a food business selling empanadas, cheese sticks, and pastries. She prepares them at home and sells them frozen, mostly by order.
The business was once small, with only a few clients and little visibility.
When the SENATIC activities began, I took a course on digital content integration. The training was a new opportunity in my life: it allowed me to do something positive for my mum and to help her with the food business.
I learned about digital marketing, logo creation, and advertising. Before, I knew how to make videos, but I didn’t know what a logo was or how to design one.
The programme showed me how to apply creativity and technology to real projects. I said to myself: “This is my opportunity.” When I told my mum, she became even more motivated and said: “Okay, let’s start making ads and all the rest.”
Together, we created the brand ROSYMAR, named after my great grandmother Rosa and my mum, Marlyn. I designed the ads, the logos, and the social media pages to promote her products. I encouraged her to take photos of the snacks, both fried and raw, and I turned them into eye-catching ads.
My mum’s business has changed in terms of production growth. Orders began to increase, and her business gained recognition in the community.
My family was proud to see how my learning was making a real impact at home.
Being able to help my mum has meant so much to me. I’ve wanted to feel her affection, make her proud, and show her the positive changes in me – proof that I’m making progress.
Being able to help my mum has meant so much to me. I’ve wanted to feel her affection, make her proud, and show her the positive changes in me – proof that I’m making progress.
I am originally from Barranquilla, where I lived with my father. Many years ago, my parents separated, so I was apart from my mum. When I was about 13 or 14, I was reunited with her in Maicao. At first, the reunion was awkward because I didn’t know her. Over time, I’ve gotten to know her better, and I know that in her heart I’ve made her proud for everything I’ve accomplished.
Adapting to life in Maicao was not easy. I had to learn new family rules, new habits, and even the local customs of the Wayuu indigenous community. At first, I felt like an outsider, but my mum encouraged me to focus on my studies. In Barranquilla, I often struggled with grades. But here, with her support – she would tell me “Get your act together” – I began ranking first or second in my class. That recognition gave me confidence and showed me that with support, I could succeed.
Working alongside my mum, my brother, and my stepsister, I help produce the pastries and empanadas. Sometimes my stepfather joins in too. It is truly a family business, and thanks to the skills I gained, we have been able to expand our client base and give her product more visibility.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and SENATIC have given me opportunities that have changed my life and my family’s business. People know her brand, and we have more interaction with customers.
The ILO and SENATIC have given me opportunities that have changed my life and my family’s business. People know her brand, and we have more interaction with customers.
My mum’s business has strengthened our family bonds, because we all work together and share responsibilities. It has also shown our neighbours that young people can bring innovation and growth to traditional businesses.
Apart from my mum’s project, I have another project: the creation of my own brand. I am transitioning from her project to start mine, a clothing brand of sweaters and caps. I now feel motivated to keep learning, and I dream of studying Systems Engineering or marketing.
I also want to inspire other young people. Many classmates ask me for advice, and I tell them: “If I can do it, you can too.”
I encourage them to create their own projects, support their families, and believe in their potential.
My family has been very proud, and they remind me of it all the time. That’s the impact I’ve had on them: making them proud through my learning.
Read more on International Labour Organization
