Thursday, 10 June 2021 10:02

Davivienda and Aldeas Infantiles SOS strengthen alliance to benefit salvadoran youths

Written by Alondra Gutiérrez

The financial institution has been supporting initiatives of Aldeas Infantiles SOS since 2013, working together so that children and youth have more and better opportunities for their integral development, mainly through financial education mentoring.

Banco Davivienda Salvadoreño and Aldeas Infantiles SOS announced the inclusion of this financial institution as an ally in the "YouthCan" program, which the NGO implements in El Salvador in order to generate more and better job opportunities and self-employment for young people.

Among the results sought by both entities through "YouthCan" is to empower youth towards an independent life by promoting their employability; likewise, Davivienda is especially interested in strengthening decision-making skills and good use of money to promote the financial well-being of these young people and their families.

Davivienda's support consists of being part of the network of allies of the "YouthCan" program by providing both a monetary donation and the involvement of volunteers who are employees of the financial institution, who will contribute their knowledge and experience through mentoring in financial education and professional life skills.

"Davivienda accompanies the economic reactivation of our country. We are pleased to be an ally of Aldeas Infantiles SOS in its "YouthCan" program, from where we encourage young people to obtain the best opportunities to help them guide their working life in a comprehensive manner. The vision that moves us is the financial well-being of salvadorans, emphasizing the creation of a culture of constant savers and responsible debtors, with a focus on proper money management. We will be providing these skills to young people who will soon be in the labor sector", said Carlos Santos, Sustainability Coordinator of Banco Davivienda Salvadoreño.

The "YouthCan Program: empowerment and job opportunities for youth and adolescents" will be implemented through 3 strategies with impact on adolescents and youth:

  • Development of soft skills to exercise leadership and be the protagonists of their own lives.
  • Development of technical skills for their integration into working life
  • Access to a solid network of professional support and positive role models through Davivienda employees/volunteers/mentors. With a comprehensive approach, it is also projected to have an impact, through decent jobs, on reducing irregular migration, reducing violence and fostering a culture of peace
  • All the localities where SOS Children's Villages has an impact will be part of this project: Sonsonate, Santa Ana, Santa Tecla, San Vicente and San Miguel, constituting the target population the care alternatives: Viviendo con Familia SOS, Viviendo con Familia de Origen and Casas de Transición de Jóvenes.

The program will be working with 132 adolescents and young people participating in the SOS programs. SOS Children's Villages develops "YouthCan" as part of the strategic initiatives towards the year 2030, involving in its design the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG1 End Poverty, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10 Reducing Inequalities and SDG 17 Partnerships to achieve the goals; and, indirectly, to SDG 5 Gender Equality.

"As an organization, we are convinced that today, more than ever, young people need us. The success and impact of our work will be reflected in what the young people participating in our programs achieve. The world will belong to them, so it is important that they take a role in shaping their future and with this project, together with Banco Davivienda, we are providing them with opportunities to succeed in life. We thank Banco Davivienda because one more year it joins our efforts to leave no one behind and contribute to the 2030 Agenda", said Rocio de Escobar, advisor of Alianzas Corporativas, Institucionales y Gubernamentales de Aldeas Infantiles SOS El Salvador.