Female heads of household and women who have been
displaced by war in Colombia are becoming more empowered through vocational
training and personal development classes provided by the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

ADRA's one-year project, which began in March of 2007, will benefit 240
displaced women and female heads of households between two training centers,
one in Cartagena and one in Bogotá. Beneficiaries will receive training in
tailoring and cosmetology, providing them with income-generating job skills
with which they can support their families.

"These types of careers have more flexible hours, so they will be still be
able to take care of their children while working right out of their homes,"
says Gabriel Villarreal, country director for ADRA Colombia. "The supply
kits are also easily portable, so the women can work from any location they
choose."

With more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons, Colombia is second
only to Sudan in number of IDPs. Colombia's long-standing civil conflict
figures as the primary reason behind the displacement.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), an estimated 49 percent of IDPs in Colombia are adult women, with
more than a third of IDP families headed by women.
Bogotá and Cartagena have the highest rates of displaced population in the
country.

"Women and girls affected by displacement often find themselves in a very
difficult place," says Villareal. "Not only are they trying to adjust to a
whole new environment, but many female heads of household have no
professional skills, and are often responsible for four or five young
children. It is by no means an easy situation."

Beneficiaries will also participate in health education, women's rights, and
personal development classes designed to improve their quality of life and
self-esteem. "It is essential that these women learn to recognize their
self-worth," states Villareal.
"Once each woman appreciates her own value, she will have the confidence to
succeed in her chosen trade."

The workshops will be divided into cycles of three-month classes, with 80
women enrolled in each. An estimated 1,200 family members will benefit from
this project indirectly.

The project is funded in partnership with ADRA Spain and the Generalitat
Valenciana, the local government of Valencia, Spain.

ADRA Colombia operates two additional training centers for displaced women
and female heads of household in the cities of Medellín and Saravena.

ADRA has been active in Colombia since 1989, and currently works in the
areas of Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health, Education, and
Emergency Management.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and
emergency management without regard to political or religious association,
age, gender, or ethnicity.