|
ILO Voices | Digital skills for youth
Digital skills revived my mother’s food business and our family bond Rafael Meza is a student from Colombia, one of more than 60,000 young people who are benefitting from the ILO-supported SENATIC project. Through the programme, he is learning digital marketing skills that are helping him boost his mother’s food business.
20 January 2026
Facebook X Linkedin Content also available in: español français Photo of Rafael Meza Rafael Meza Rafael Meza, 18, is a student and beneficiary of the SENATIC project, which promotes digital skills for youth in Colombia.
TIC logo, TIC is Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies. SENATIC is implemented as part of a cooperation agreement between Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTIC), the National Training Service (SENA), and the ILO. 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.”
Rafael Meza, seated at a computer, surrounded by fellow beneficiaries of the SENATIC project and an instructor. He is positioned in the middle of the group. © David Estrada Larrañeta/ILO The SENATIC training has opened many doors, giving me the chance to develop projects. (Colombia, 2025) 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.
Rafael Meza, student and SENATIC beneficiary 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.
Rafael Meza and his mother make empanadas in the family home’s courtyard. Rafael Meza is rolling dough on a tray. © David Estrada Larrañeta/ILO With my digital skills, I promote my mum’s business through social media, and I also help in making the pastries and the empanadas. (Colombia, 2025) 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.
Rafael Meza, student and SENATIC beneficiary 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.
Rafael Meza and his mother, Marlin Judith, are seated together at a table. Rafael is showing her his mobile phone. © David Estrada Larrañeta/ILO When I started creating digital marketing, my mum began getting more clients, and people got to know her business and her products better. (Colombia, 2025) 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.
A portrait of Rafael Meza and his mother, Marlin Judith, in the family home’s courtyard. The two are smiling as Rafael rests his hands on his mother’s shoulders. © David Estrada Larrañeta/ILO I know that in her heart I’ve made her proud for everything I’ve accomplished. (Colombia, 2025) 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.
Fast facts SENATIC is an initiative of Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTIC), the National Training Service (SENA), and the ILO. The project aims to train young people in digital and technical skills, preparing them for the labour market and the digital world. The programme combines technical training with secondary education and offers certified short courses by global tech companies. Between 2024 and 2026, more than 60,000 students will have been trained in technical programmes integrated with secondary education across all 32 departments of Colombia. Nearly 20 per cent of beneficiaries are from indigenous groups. Interview with Carina Murcia, Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTIC), Colombia
Find out more SENATIC (In Spanish) Advancing digital education and opportunities for Colombia’s youth ILO country portal for Colombia ILO topic portal on skills Global coalition for social justice Related Content ILO Voices Man in a wheelchair inside a greenhouse. He holds a lettuce in his hands and smiles at the camera. ILO Voices
ILO Logo Advancing social justice, promoting decent work ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations International Labour Organization
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211 Geneva 22
Switzerland
Contact us Follow us on Instagram Facebook Linkedin Youtube Flickr Tiktok Sign up for our newsletter © 1996-2026 International Labour Organization (ILO) Rights and permissions Privacy policy Fraud alert Disclaimer Accessibility Statement Back to top
|
