Joana comes from a deprived community in the municipality of Ecatepec, the most densely populated area in Mexico State, where there is a lack of opportunities for young people like her. Due to her family’s very tight economic situation, Joana could only finish high school and couldn’t pursue further education.
She has always dreamt of being independent and setting up her own food and beverage business. However, being the eldest child and desperately wanting to help support her family, Joana decided to look for a job but could only manage to find casual work.
In July 2007 the local office of World Vision Mexico was recruiting candidates for a new employability programme to be piloted that year in Mexico. Joana’s mother heard about the Youth Career Initiative in her local community.
The programmeFollowing a selection process that involved interviews with local partner organisations including Fundacion Infantia and the Presidente InterContinental Hotel in Mexico City, Joana was accepted into the programme. YCI Mexico started in September 2007 in three five-star hotels, two of them in Mexico City, the JW Marriott and the Presidente InterContinental; and the CasaMagna Marriott Resort in Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco State.
Joana felt really grateful for the opportunity that had been given to her. She set out to successfully finish the programme and to learn as much as she could. Her commitment to the programme – and to herself – was exemplary.
In March 2008, upon successful completion of the intensive training programme, Joana graduated along with 16 fellow participants countrywide.
"They taught me a lot during those six months, for instance how to behave and interact with other people and what it meant to be responsible at work."
Outcomes
After the graduation, Joana was offered a job at the Zhen Shanghai Restaurant of the Presidente InterContinental Hotel Mexico City. Six months on and she was thoroughly enjoying her experience as the pastry assistant at the kitchen of the restaurant where she has learned to prepare oriental desserts and cook other dishes, amongst many other things.
Joana has proved that when given a chance, young disadvantaged women with a strong desire to learn and progress in life, can indeed succeed in this dream. Joana is now able to support her family, and this makes her feel proud and content.
Through the programme, Joana has developed the self-confidence and self-discipline that she needed to guide her way towards achieving her long-standing goal of becoming an entrepreneur.
Thanks to YCI, Joana’s work and life prospects have dramatically turned around.