Annual Report 2022 Fundación Monge

Annual Report 2022

María José Monge

Chair, Fundación Monge

Dear reader,

My name is María José Monge, founder of Fundación Monge “Soy Cambio” Program. Born and raised in Alajuela, Costa Rica, I remember the sense of community in my neighborhood where I used to play in the afternoon, loving and caring neighbors, women raising their own and other children, open doors to humble and kind families.

I was fortunate to have many loving mothers in my life: my mom – a visionary ahead of her time –, my grandma, my teachers, my friends’ mothers. They all loved me, raised me, took care of me and – from time to time – scolded me.

I was a fun adventurous girl with a great revolutionary spirit – in a good way. When I was 7 years old, I was diagnosed a condition affecting traditional way of learning. Therefore, elementary and high school were very challenging to me. I was deeply sad and insecure because my grades misrepresented my intelligence. My efforts to excel in school fade over the years.

As in any other story, not everything is good or bad. When I was in sixth grade, my teacher Aurelia – who believed in me – used to encourage me, reminding me of how smart and funny I was. No doubt, she was a great teacher, a great mother, and a great mentor who lighted up my heart.

My decision to become a special education teacher with a minor in education for autistic young people and adults was based on my experiences – one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Every story has a reason and a purpose … My story turned into my motivation and a chance to provide loving and committed support for the development of young people, contribute to their meaningful learning, and improve their social, educational and economic conditions – just as teacher Aurelia did for me. Looking into their eyes, I see what I once lived, the support I received … Today, I am working with more love and passion than ever.

Since we started Fundación Monge 16 years ago, I’ve had the most beautiful experiences of my life. I’ve met thousands of young people who have benefited from our various programs. Faced by major challenges and difficulties, these boys and girls managed to fulfill their dreams – dreams that come true through quality education, coaching, and support in finding a job in tech companies.

In the last years, we have decided to support women who provide for their families through their entrepreneurship with effort and great determination. Women are also a source of strength and motivation to move forward. We are innovating, developing critical thinking, and empowering young people and women from Central America – and will continue to do so – looking for full well-being in their lives and their families.

Thank you, dear students, teachers, parents, staff members, Monge customers, and partner organizations for your unconditional support in delivering on our mission, helping us continue to make a CHANGE in the lives of hundreds of young people and women entrepreneurs in Costa Rica and the region!

MARIA JOSE

MONGE CHEVEZ (FIRMA)

Firmado digitalmente

por MARIA JOSE

MONGE CHEVEZ (FIRMA)

Fecha: 2022.11.25

13:36:40 -06'00'

FIRMA MARIA JOSE MONGE

Lourdes Brizuela CEO, Fundación Monge.

Dear reader,

Thank you for reading our content nearing the end of 2022!

We are celebrating our many achievements this year, none of which would have been possible without the changes that we have faced as an organization over the years – particularly the last two years with the pandemic – many challenges, and the conviction about our organizational capacity to confront them with resilience, creativity, and innovation.

In the following pages, we are happy to report the outcome and impact of Soy Cambio, our signature program that benefited more than 1,000 young people from Central America this year. In 2022, we established a successful working model with high-tech companies, with more than 50 STEM experts mentoring promising high school students in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Our usual work with young people from public schools has been complemented by Soy Cambio Universitario, a program giving talented youth the opportunity to pursue higher education in prestigious universities in Costa Rica, starting in 2023.

We have also committed to the mandate of Fundación Monge to channel our efforts into ensuring the highest participation of women in 21st century education and entrepreneurship. This year, we reported a 68% job insertion for our alumni into knowledge intensive companies and significant survival and progress in SMEs led by the women we have supported since 2020. We could not have given the best of our organizational abilities without our fantastic team – a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of them: an active Board and a network of public and private partners – building a strong collaboration for the better and getting stronger, resulting in improvement and success for those we serve.

My last words of appreciation are for María José Monge, our visionary President and friend, for her relentless efforts to move forward, in attempts to make societies in our region succeed in solidarity, quality education, vocational training, and 21st century entrepreneurship.

WHO WE ARE?

MISSION:

To advocate for vulnerable public high school students – living in communities where Grupo Monge is running business operations – to have access to education as a tool to fight poverty, achieve social mobility, and encourage personal growth

To promote the empowerment of women entrepreneurs through personal coaching, training and microbusiness incubation

VISION:

Scaling up our impact on education, employability and entrepreneurship – especially in communities outside the Greater Metropolitan Area in Costa Rica and other countries in Central America – contributes to their sustainable development through human-centered processes for the social mobility and well-being of families and communities where we are running operations.

WHERE WE WORK?

IN COSTA RICA

Since 2006

(Oficentro Multipark, Torre Turrubares, Guachipelín, Escazú).

IN NICARAGUA

Since 2008 (Parque Industrial Portezuelos, Managua).

OUR PROGRAMS:

In order to contribute to the development strategy for the Government of Costa Rica and meet the demand of the private sector in training the workforce, we train human talent for 21st century jobs (fourth industrial revolution) through these initiatives:

We are creating better conditions and opportunities for students to finish public high school, ideally pursue a technical career, and manage competitive entry into high-demand jobs or careers linked to knowledge economy (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and services).

We are giving vulnerable and disadvantaged young people access to tertiary education, considering job intermediation so that these people can successfully enter the labor market.

We are promoting inclusion of women in business, especially those who have been denied access to training, digital literacy and entrepreneurship for whatever reason to improve and expand their business models.

Programa de Liderazgo Estudiantil y Empleabilidad

2022 INDICATORS

+ 12 Years of experience

+3000

Young people benefited from Soy Cambio Leadership and Employability Program

+375

Young people from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, 2022 Generation

+700

Young people enrolled in technology courses through our MICITT Smart Community Center 416

+20 Women entrepreneurs trained to boost their business models

+500

Hours of training delivered by Connected by Hope mentors to students from Soy Cambio-NI Generation

COSTA RICA:

FUNDACIÓN MONGE is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, a contributor to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and a contributor to the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT) in Costa Rica) through CECI 416.

For this reason, our organization has focused its efforts on making a strategic contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Global Compact principles, as a private non-profit business organization and the philanthropic arm of Grupo Monge, promoting social mobility for vulnerable people in Costa Rica and the rest of Central America.

This is done through quality education programs, training for personal leadership, employability of Young people, and inclusion of women who have been denied access to training, digital literacy and entrepreneurship for whatever reason in business. In this respect, we are pleased to share with you some of our main outcomes in 2022.

SOY CAMBIO PROGRAM

In delivering on our mission, Fundación Monge has been implementing signature education program Soy Cambio (“I’m a change maker”) in partnership with the Ministry of Public Education since 2014. The goal of the program is to create better conditions and opportunities for vulnerable young people to finish high school, pursue a technical degree, and manage competitive entry into the workforce.

Student Profile:

● Aged 15-20

● Enrolled in public high school (academic or vocational education)

● Living in poor and vulnerable conditions

● With a strong and proven will to succeed

PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

In order to contribute to the development strategy for the Government of Costa Rica and meet the demand of the private sector in training the workforce, we train human talent for 21st century jobs (fourth industrial revolution) through our Theory of Change:

Our theory of Change

Financial support

Follow-up and mentoring

Vocational counselling

Social emotional skills

English

Labor intermediation

Students are screened by vocational high schools that are working with us. Their profiles are then validated to meet selection criteria, and personal interviews are conducted by a multidisciplinary team tasked with providing selected students with support, tools and trainings to make our mission and vision a legacy of good deeds, with a positive impact on their lives and the lives of their families.

SOY CAMBIO 2022-2023 GENERATION

We started 2022 contributing to the country strategy to improve employability for 80 students from 16 vocational public high schools across six provinces in Costa Rica, i.e., San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Puntarenas, and Guanacaste.

This generation is funded by own funds and in-kind contribution from mission partners, incl. Cargill and National Instrument (NI) – a multinational company sponsoring 50 young through Soy Cambio-Connected by Hope Program.

BENEFITS RECEIVED: Financial Support:

During 2022, Fundación Monge has provided monthly financial support to vulnerable students to pay for basic food basket and studies.

Technology:

For the reporting period, young people with connection issues were given loaned computers and Internet connection to take classes or on-line courses. To allocate equipment, priority was given to 25 female students from this generation who did not meet the minimum requirements (e.g. a computer and 10 Mbps Internet speed min.) to take Mujeres al Vapor (“Steaming”) Arduino course.

Follow-up & Monitoring:

This is cross-cutting for each action involving our target group. With this, it is possible to identify and step in situations that may lead for students to drop out of school, contributing to the country strategy – reducing school dropout rates. All 80 students from this generation received tailored support focused on prevention of and response to group or individual situations and needs, using a holistic approach from the areas of the Well-Being Wheel, with a focus on educational, vocational, personal-social, and family dimensions. This component is led by a multidisciplinary team of five experts in counselling, psychology, social work, and political science.

Mentoring:

As part of Soy Cambio-Connected by Hope Project, 50 of our students have a NI mentor as inspiration and support, investing time and expertise in STEAM areas and share those with students from different vocational high schools. Every student (mentee) and mentor is supported by a project coordinator from Fundación Monge. Mentoring is initially extended to December 2022, with a possibility of an extension for 2023.

Employability Training:

Through CECI 416 (MICITT associate), professional profiles for all 80 young people from this generation are being reinforced with access to CISCO Academy courses with certificate of completion such as Cybersecurity, Python, and others. Similarly, synchronous Excel courses were delivered twice during the year, and an Arduino STEAM course for 25 female students, from August to September 2022.

MAIN RESULTS:

Chart No. 1

Selected High Schools Soy Cambio 2022-2023 Generation

Source: Taken from Soy Cambio Program

HIGH SCHOOLS

CPT Jesús Ocaña Rojas

CTP Carrizal

CTP Santo Domingo

CTP Mercedes Norte

CTP Abelardo Bonilla

Cotepecas

CTP Roberto Gamboa

CTV Monseñor Sanabria

CTP Carpio

CTP Purral

COVAO

CTP Paquera

CTP Cóbano

CTP Carrillo

CTP Quepos

Chart No. 3

Technical Areas 2022-2023 Soy Cambio

Technical Areas 24

● Communication Network / Operating System Administration & Support

● Digital Design & Development

● Software Development

● Web Development

● Network Computing

● Business Computing

● Computer Maintenance

● Computer Networks

Finance 16

● Accounting

● Accounting & Costs

● Accounting & Finance

Services 11

● Service Center Officers

● Administration, Logistics & Supply

Electronics 8

● Industrial Electronics

● Electronics & Repair

Source: Taken from Soy Cambio Program

CECI 416:

“Soy Cambio 2022-2023” Generation benefited from MICITT Smart Community Centers (CECI) initiative. In this case, CECI 416 by Fundación Monge delivered a series of technical courses to improve their professional profiles (See Chart No. 4). This tool is also beneficial for teachers under the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), certified in different CECI courses this year for career growth, acquiring innovative technology tools to benefit students in their employability training process.

In 2022, CECI 416 assisted active MEP students – inside and outside the Greater Metropolitan Area – who are not part of Fundación Monge. To date, our reports show 629 students from vocation high schools Cotepecos, Roberto Gamboa, Carrizal, Santo Domingo, Jesús Ocaña, Abelardo Bonilla, Cuatro Reinas, Sardinal, and Quepos, among others, enrolled in Get Connected, Internet of Things, Introduction to Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, and Python courses.

Students on CECI 416 Courses in 2022

Woman in STEAM (25)

Excell (41)

Get Connected (209)

Intro LoT (72)

Introducción to Cybersecurity (111)

Python (251)

Entrepreneurship (19)

Chart No. 4.

Source: Taken from Soy Cambio Program

Intermediation for 21st Century Jobs Companies Where Our Alumni Work

Source: Taken from Soy Cambio Program

Working Status Soy Cambio Generation (IADB-OMEGA 2017-2020)

Companies Where Our Alumni Work Soy Cambio Generation (IADB-OMEGA 2017-2020)

Source: Taken from Soy Cambio Program

SOY CAMBIO STUDENTS:

Andrea Ramos

Junior Year (Soy Cambio 2022 Generation)

Jesús Ocaña Vocational High School, Alajuela

“My experience at Fundación Monge has been very satisfying because I have been given many opportunities to grow personally and professionally. My Project Coordinator has supported my education. First, she helped me get the computer I needed to take my courses. Then, she provided ongoing support, giving me confidence and security to move forward through active listening and pieces of good advice.”

Luis Gustavo Aguilar

Junior Year (Soy Cambio 2022 Generation)

Monseñor Sanabria Vocational High School, Desamparados

“I’m one of the students who received a good laptop from Fundación Monge. This laptop has been really useful to do homework. Besides, as someone who benefitted from Soy Cambio, I’ve been given the opportunity to take an Excel course that will help me a lot in the future as my focus is accounting.”

ACTIONS IMPLEMENTED TO ACHIEVE RESULTS:

Courses with Certificate of Completion:

Asynchronous Courses:

CISCO Academy: Using NetAcad platform, CECI 416 has delivered Introduction to Networking CISCO courses including, inter alia, Get Connected, Internet of Things, Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship, allowing students to explore new opportunities in technology and develop basic skills and tools for the workplace. To date, 99 Soy Cambio students are enrolled in these courses.

English on Coursera: All 80 students from our generation currently have an English course listed on Coursera platform through joint work with ALIARSE and Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives (CINDE). Each student taking this fully online course have a learning path tailored to their level of English – accessible 24/7 to practice – available from October 2022 to March 2023.

Synchronous Courses:

Intensive Course on Life Skills & 21st Century Jobs (GeekoniaTM): CAs part of a strategic partnership with Costa Rican-American Cultural Center (CCCN) in January-February 2022, Fundación Monge delivered 28 students from CCCN Access XI Program the course “Life Skills & 21st Century Jobs.” The purpose is to create an intensive skill training experience using the Geekonia method to help young students complete their training process with tools that will strengthen their life project.

Arduino (Women in STEAM): This course was attended by 25 female students from 2022-2033 Soy Cambio-NI Generation. The purpose is to bring young people closer to technology and use of tools, e.g., Arduino programming language, as a way of encouraging them to pursue STEAM careers in the future. This online course lasts 16 hours and is certified by Fundación Monge CECI 416, in partnership with MICITT.

Excel: 21 students benefitted from Excel Intermediate courses delivered by Fundación Monge CECI 416. This 40-hour blended course was first delivered on August 20 - October 22. 2022. The second course is in progress with expected completion in January 2023.

Additional Actions:

● “Back to School” Campaign: In early January 2022, Grupo Monge, in partnership with Fundación Monge, developed “Back to School” Campaign, giving five young people from different areas across the country a full package of supplies (computer, printer, tablet, desk, etc.) to successfully complete vocational school, and some Soy Cambio Program components to help them in their academic and professional background.

● “Inspire, Connect & Transform” Workshop: Attended by Soy Cambio alumni and 80 students from high schools in the Greater Metropolitan Area, this workshop inspired Soy Cambio new generation to have a vision of success and motivation for their academic background.

● Communication & Personal Branding Workshop: During National Orientation Week, students from La Carpio Vocational High School attended a workshop on the importance of personal branding and good communication at the workplace to provide students about to graduate with tools for easier labor market insertion.

● Qiü Digital Platform: Last August, we created a partnership with Ahead® –and their brand Qiü – to launch Qiü Digital Platform and benefit public high school students at risk, willing to obtain a degree from a State university. This partnership was designed to provide over 500 licenses with free access to “Qiü” so that students could prepare for standardized tests on this platform and be admitted into University of Costa Rica (UCR), National University (UNA), and Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC), the latter for admission in 2024.

● Company Tours: On October 26 – in celebration of International Mentoring Day – 50 mentees from this generation took a tour of NI (company in Heredia), spent time with their mentors and had a closer look at the reality of working for a knowledge intensive tech company.

● Life Skills & 21st Century Jobs Training Session: In December 2022, Soy Cambio students from this generation and their mentors attended a life skills & 21st century jobs training session at the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE) premises in Alajuela. It included experiential and interactive activities combined with meaningful and playful learning to encourage students to develop basic skills (e.g., assertive communication, collaboration, teamwork, conflict resolution, and creativity) for good job performance and organizational success. In January 2023, students from this generation will use Geekonia Virtual High Academy Platform to take “Life Skills & 21th Century Jobs” online course developed by Fundación Monge to prepare for competitive and increasingly complex future jobs in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

● Mission Partner Donations: Once again this year, we supported Mi Cuento Fantástico (“My Fairy Tale”) contest award by Asociación Amigos del Saber (ADA). Last October, for the 11th edition, we gifted 26 Huawei tablets to winning students nationwide, their teachers and librarians, to continue to encourage reading and writing among students by telling stories. Similarly, we gifted electrical appliances to Liceo del Sur High School (Desamparados) to equip their kitchen, and technology awards (Huawei speakers) to 11 students graduating this year as members of their cooperative.

SOY CAMBIO U

Through this program, we are promoting access for vulnerable young people to tertiary education and involving some job intermediation so that they can successfully enter the labor market.

HOLOGIC University Scholarship Fund

In September 2022, we were selected to run STEM CAREERS by HOLOGIC. This year, the program is allocating significant for investment in 10 outstanding young students interested in pursuing STEAM careers – all the way to Bachelor’s degree – in Electromechanics, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Administration, Computer System Engineering, and Software Engineering. Students will study these careers on Universidad Latina campuses in San Pedro or Heredia, from 2023 to the time they graduate with a Bachelor’s degree.

By the end of October 2022, they set the criteria and worked with the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to select 8 vocational high schools for the first year: COVAO, COTEPECOS, Jesús Ocaña Rojas, CEDES Don Bosco, Mercedes Norte, Roberto Gamboa, Carrizal, Alajuela, and San Pedro.

10 students from these high schools will be awarded a fully funded scholarship to Bachelor’s degree at the end of December 2022.

EMPRENDE SOY CAMBIO

In 2022, we continued to work for the inclusion of more women in business, especially those who have been denied access to training, digital literacy and entrepreneurship for whatever reason. The cornerstone of this program is A Mamá le tengo Fe (“My Faith in Mom”), a campaign launched by Fundación Monge in partnership with Tienda Monge’s Buenas Acciones (“Good Deeds”) to celebrate Mother’s Day in Costa Rica.

This year, we received 64 applications from all 7 provinces in the country. Entrepreneurships were classified into food and beverages, auto mechanics, cakes and pastries, natural cosmetics, eco dyes and prints, costume jewelry, fabrics, etc. The winners were Jenny Vargas from San Ramón, Alajuela; Mónica Gamboa from Oreamuno, Cartago; Alicia Gonzáles from Alajuelita; Katherine Murillo from Parrita; and María Eugenia Baltodano from Lepanto, Puntarenas. Monge awarded equipment for their business and other in-kind benefits to boost their business models.

As part of their training component, seven other entrepreneurs (Marianela Salazar from Tres Ríos; Dora Quesada from Moravia; Hellen Morera from Río Segundo de Alajuela; Berta Cecilia Jaimes from Santo Domingo de Heredia; Elena Martínez from Pérez Zeledón, and Magdalena Parra from Desamparados) were also winners, for a total of 12 small entrepreneurs who benefited from this program.

PARTNERSHIPS & BENEFITS:

We believe in the value of partnerships. For this, in an effort to strengthen the program, in 2022, we teamed up with different partners. Their valuable contributions have made A Mamá le tengo Fe a well-rounded and unique program in the country. These partners are the following:

1. Cargill:

It provided resources for technical advice to mothers who benefited from this program.

2. Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (CELIEM):

In mid-September, together with Fundación Monge and CELIEM, all entrepreneurs started a four-month support program for these mothers to acquire know-how, work tools, and guidance to develop and boost their business. This program offers face-to-face and online (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions in line with individual plans for each entrepreneur based on initial assessment. Together with CELIEM Support and Training Department, we have been measuring and adjusting progress and performance for these entrepreneurs. We have also ensured these entrepreneurships implement useful tools so their business models can be more competitive.

3. Fundación Monge:

It provided resources for selection, training, follow-up, and evaluation of the program. It is important to mention that, from the start, A Mamá le tengo Fe was supported by Fundación Monge project coordinators (psychologists, counselors, and social workers), who are “buddies” with entrepreneurs or companions who will listen to them and their mentors so they can find, as a team, solutions to the different situations they encounter along the process.

4. Grupo Monge:

It provided funds to equip and renovate the workplace for those entrepreneurs in urgent need of this support to continue operations. Also, their Corporate Volunteer Program provided mentors to help all 12 entrepreneurs better understand technical content, support their activities, broaden concepts, and listen to their needs.

RENOVATION & EQUIPMENT:

At an early stage of the program, 5 of the 12 entrepreneurs witnessed how their workspaces had a full makeover after renovation, equipment and in-kind donations by Grupo Monge to boost their business, e.g., Granizados Ali – a slush production room gifted to Alicia González in Alajuelita.

This entrepreneur had a narrow space home where she made and packed slushies, and arranged for their distribution. She did not have proper equipment, enough shelves, and quality furniture and ingredients to add value to her product. For this, Tienda Monge chose the space behind the house to build a fully-equipped production room, with enough space to make, sell and distribute slushies.

María Eugenia Baltodano, owner of a laying hen farm in Lepanto, Puntarenas, was another mother whose life changed upon entrepreneurial transformation. She started with small barns and limited infrastructure for 300 hens. These barns are now fully equipped with feeders, watering holes, nests, and rooms to store food and other supplies in order to increase production. In addition to renovating her barns, she was given 100 more hens.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Mónica Gamboa. Burio Costa Rica.

“Starting this program and getting to know each other – as mothers and entrepreneurs – is hard to describe… I am convinced this whole process will bring great opportunities for us to learn and take our business to the next level, having the unconditional support of our mentors and buddies who have already shown their commitment to and interest in making it happen as a team.”

Elena Martínez. Mossy.

“From the first interview, I could tell there were a lot of people with a charismatic personality behind this program, leading me to have high expectations and making me feel like a winner just for sharing the story of my entrepreneurship. Knowing that we will end up being transformed, empowered, and equipped with more tools to consolidate our business helps me commit myself to the process and makes me extremely happy.”

Marianella Salazar. Cocoo.

“This recognition is exceeding my expectations as I’m learning to see my entrepreneurship as a large company. I want to thank all companies for making it possible, my mentors, my buddie, and CELIEM advisors for supporting me in a process we just started. I know if I put my effort and dedication, I will be successful, more empowered, and convinced my brand will be displayed in supermarkets, coffee shops, airports, and abroad.”

In parallel to A Mamá le tengo Fe initiative, through CECI 416 and with the support of our mission partners, we have delivered Herramientas para la Innovación y Emprendimiento: Construyendo mi Negocio desde 0 [“Tools for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Starting My Business from Scratch”], a MICITII accredited course, equipping female entrepreneurs with resources and tools to achieve goals as businesswomen, such as: reviewing business models, implementing their entrepreneurship, and making a positive impact on sales growth and product distribution.

NICARAGUA:

True to our vision of working across borders and turning education into the main instrument to fight poverty and promote social mobility, Soy Cambio Nicaragua awarded 30 new scholarships in 2022, reaching 150 students across the country. These students are supported as follows:

● Scholarship: Monthly financial aid for food to program students

● Follow-up & Support: Constant communication to get to know each student, preventing situations that may risk staying in Soy Cambio o in school.

● Employability Training: Life skills and 21st century jobs trainings, access to English and/or computer courses, internship, and other benefits in cooperation with partner organizations

Student Profile:

● Active in public and/or private schools (technical degree)

● Aged 16-21

● Excelling in education

● Living in vulnerable conditions

Strategic Partnerships to Achieve Program Objectives:

In 2022, we continued our work with Fundación Victoria and Fundación Hedwig y Robert Samuel. We partnered with both vocational training institutions to:

● Facilitate access of vulnerable young people to vocation training.

● Promote equal opportunities for the most vulnerable, especially young people in search of vocational training to enter the labor market and become agents of change in society.

● Encourage youth-led initiatives.

In order to meet these agreements and ensure the greatest good for our students, both institutions promised Fundación Monge to:

● Recommend students who meet selection and program requirements to Soy Cambio.

● Raise awareness in students to become familiar with the program, using Fundación Monge dissemination channels.

● Keep a smooth communication with Soy Cambio Program.

● Provide regular information upon request to keep track of school performance of students.

Key Performance Indicators:

Chart No. 1. Training Centers

Chart No. 2. Student Location

Chart No. 3. Technical Degrees or Diplomas

2022 Milestones

Life Skills & 21st Century Jobs Course

In July 2022, 30 students from Fundación Victoria and Fundación Hedwing y Robert Samuels – Soy Cambio partners – took the course “Life Skills & 21st Century Jobs.” These students were based in Managua and other country departments such as Matagalpa and Boaco.

The course is designed to provide students with an intensive experience in developing social and emotional skills using the Geekonia method. This will help students complete their training process in December 2022 with tools that will strengthen their life project and employability profile.

Geekonia consists of 6 strategically designed modules for young students to be able to discover their core skills or competencies, incl. collaboration, communication, creativity, innovation, and challenge resolution. At the beginning of the course, Franklin Covey was asked to have online exchanges with students. This organization delivered introductory module “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

What Students Say About Us

Alison Gómez Canda

Student, Soy Cambio 2022

Degree: Administrative Assistant Technician

Fundación Hedwig Y Robert Samuel

“When I took the course, I realized how wonderful it is to have teamwork, creativity, experience and support are to achieve my personal and professional goals. Bringing all talents from team members together into challenge resolution, the outcome is second to none. We improved and learned a lot from the others, even pushing our own limits.”

Leonardo Perez Dávila.

Student, Soy Cambio 2022

Degree: Administrative Assistant Technician

Fundación Hedwig Y Robert Samuel

“I learned how to change my perspective of who I am and who I want to be. I always think about it… I remember once I told Marjorie I wanted to conquer the world, and now I’m doing it thanks to Soy Cambio. The coordinators saw my potential and my wish to develop it to the fullest. The workshops I have attended helped me refine my skills and abilities. I never lose sight of who I want to become, and I’d love to keep finding people like Marjorie and Anielka, who can help me along the way.”

Recycling 2022

As in previous years, we continue to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, and iron to raise more income for Soy Cambio projects and reduce the carbon footprint of Grupo Monge operations. The amount collected as of October 30, 2022 was $8,000.94.

OUR TEAM

We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals in administration, communication, education, psychology, social work, counseling, design, and program and project management and evaluation, supporting our students with coaching, tools and trainings to make our mission and vision a legacy of good deeds, with a positive impact on their lives and the lives of their families.

Chair: María José Monge CEO

Lourdes Brizuela

Communications Coordinator

Gloriana Gómez

AccountingAdministrative Coordinator

Ana Salazar

Project Coordinators

Psychology

Karol Angulo

Counselling

Alejandra Bonilla

Lía Rodríguez

AdministrativeOperations Coordinator

Anielka Morales

Project Coordinators

Psychology

Social Work

Ana Yansy Hernández

Distance Learning & Political Science

Verónica Parra

Marjorie Pérez

Board

Our Partners:

Thank You for Contribution to Soy Cambio!

Mario Fung

National Counselling Advisor, MEP

“Fundación Monge provides significant support to Soy Cambio students, for they are supported by this program –through Project Coordinators– with mentoring, academic support, soft skills training, English, etc. It helps the organization increase job insertion and foster a culture of entrepreneurship. During the pandemic, they worked hand-in-hand with program participants and made great efforts to launch a pilot plan to have an impact on the Nicoya peninsula Area.”

Elidieth González

Human Resources Director, Hologic Costa Rica

“At Hologic, our objective is to change people’s lives through education as a key player in reducing inequality and poverty – two growing challenges in Costa Rica. We believe no company can succeed in a community with limited opportunities, which is why Hologic has granted a 4-year scholarship to 10 Costa Rican students. This program starts in 2023. We want to thank Fundación Monge and CINDE for being key strategic partners in implementing this program.”

David Ulloa.

Support & Training Director, CELIEM

“In partnership with Fundación Monge, we are working with 13 female entrepreneurs, giving them guidance on training and business support. Over these months, they received training and technical assistance from our consultants at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), to increase sales, implement their projects, and devise a business strategy. It has been a rewarding experience to see, measure and adjust progress and performance of each entrepreneur to their individual plan developed at the start of this process.”

Óscar Mora

Technical Support Engineer, NI-CR

“At NI, we have a commitment with future generations of innovators to support STEM initiatives. We believe young people should have access and equal opportunities to develop their full potential. Through “Connected by Hope,” we shared our time, knowledge and experience with Soy Cambio-NI students. As a mentor, I really enjoyed this experience, knowing small actions can make a connection from the heart and a positive impact on the lives of the students taking part in this initiative.”

Emily Pérez.

A Mamá le tengo Fe Entrepreneur (2021 Edition)

“Here, at Lácteos Caprilove, things are going very well... At the moment I am selling all pasteurized fresh goat milk but also yogurt. Thank God our sales have been very good! I am surprised this year people are coming to my place in search for the product, just what I dreamed of when I started to receive mentoring and training from the program that changed my life forever. My goals for 2023 are to label my products, and educate and equip myself to start making cheese. I am really excited and thankful for this. You and your support made it possible!”