SOS Children's Villages International
SOS Children's Villages International
04/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2024 09:09
From challenges to change: Raielle's journey to independence
ICT4D - 24 April 2024
From challenges to change: Raielle's journey to independence
Raielle, an 18-year-old mother from Brazil, has transformed her life thanks to her resilience, determination, and the power of digital education.
Raielle's life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant at the age of 16. Instead of succumbing to societal pressures, she turned to the family strengthening programme run by SOS Children's Villages in Lauro de Freitas, and successfully completed the Digital Youth activities in the YouthCan! programme.
Today, she is a sound technician at a renowned organization that creates musical events across Europe.
The project was funded by the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) company involving activities with corporate volunteers. The institutional partner State Centers for Youth and Children's Orchestras of Bahia (NEOJIBA) provided space for the activities and selected Raielle as a technician for the space.
Raielle describes her role with enthusiasm: "I assist in preparing the lights, the sound, and I coordinate with people outside of the organization to plan the events." She is not only a lighting technician, but also succeeds in various parts of the production process, organizing educational spaces and supervising musical activities.
The YouthCan! programme, which emphasizes digital skills and personal development, played a key role in Raielle's journey. The skills she acquired helped her become self-reliant and single-handedly provide a decent living for herself and her child.
She learned how to use Word, Excel, and other digital tools. Technical skills are now crucial for her work. "I didn't know how to do this before," Raielle admits, highlighting the importance of digital literacy in today's job markets.
Still, the technical skills were just one part of Raielle's journey. "The course taught me how to speak well, have a good demeanor at work, dress appropriately for my job, and be self-reliant," she says. The soft skills Raielle acquired often go unnoticed but are vital in the world of work.
Raielle also credits the programme for helping her navigate personal challenges. "In the beginning, I had a lot of problems with my family," she says. "I learned how to handle these situations, how to communicate effectively and resolve disagreements. These skills have been invaluable both at work and at home."
The young mother of a three-year-old is now financially independent. She feels that her own mother is proud of her potential and achievements. Her self-esteem has improved a lot.
When asked about her motivation to join YouthCan!, Raielle says: "My daughter. When I heard about the course that could help me develop skills and secure work, I decided to participate."
Raielle knows first-hand the challenges young people face in finding decent work. "They often lack experience and qualifications, which makes it difficult to find job opportunities," she explains. "Additionally, the societal expectation that mothers should be solely responsible for childcare can hinder women's employment."
Raielle's story proves that - with the right support and opportunities - young women can challenge societal norms, unlock their potential and achieve self-reliance.
Text by Ute Hennig
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