"I gave my life a positive twist"
The Colombian project 'Education for the Future' supports youngsters so they can forge their own futures. But who are these youngsters, what are their dreams? Karen is one of the students who participates in the project. This is her story.
My name is Karen Dayana Rivera Orozco. I’m 17 years old and I’m a coffee grower from Barrancabermeja, Santander. My mom left me and my dad when I was only 2 years old. So my dad decided to take me to my grandparents. I grew up on their farm. Thanks to ‘Education for the Future’ I was able to give my life a positive twist. Today I have my own plantation of 2,000 coffee plants and my future looks so different now, much better!
I am in the 10th grade at the Florentino Gonzalez high school. I study hard, because I have a list of goals and I want to check them all off. And I’ve learned so much already! Coffee crop management has hardly any secrets for me anymore and I was even part of a cultural exchange with other coffee growers from Burundi, the staff of Collibri Foundation and EFICO Foundation. Of course we’re very different, but we also share something very important: the love for coffee.
The project gave me a purpose in life, new friends and wonderful experiences. I’ve really seen a different side of life. So I want to thank everyone for the opportunity to grow my own coffee crop.
Read more about 'Education for the Future', the project that Karen is a part of.
