The enthusiasm generated by a visit to a POETA Center makes those involved live a unique experience. This visit took place in an atmosphere of complete cordiality; ideas, information, plans, projections, and data were triangulated, and questions were exchanged over coffee and cookies.
On this occasion, Regional Coordinator Maite Capra and Communication and Digital Transformation Specialist Carlos Escalante visited the POETA Center “Hogar Siembra,” where the hosts were Milenia Romero, Executive Director, and some female beneficiaries of the Foundation.
During this tour, we were accompanied by Juan Diego Román, Senior Coffee Project Manager at Nespresso, who expressed his interest in replicating POETA Centers, focused on women and children in the coffee sector, who need to develop technological capabilities and life skills.
Most importantly, for Juan Diego and Nespresso, it was understanding how our methodology could help coffee producers enter the labor market or improve their businesses.
During that visit, information was blended that reflected our experience, our journey, and our scope, and the pillars that give meaning and pedagogical and technical support to our POETA Centers were presented. Among them, the support and monitoring system that makes possible the active permanence of the POETA Centers and the credibility of local partners stood out. The learning-by-doing model, supported by the Toolbox and the two platforms (Virtual Classroom and Community Training), accompanied by the heterogeneous vision of each Local Partner while maintaining the quality standardization characteristic of a Social Franchise.
Finally, we highlight the value of ongoing training that allows for updating, closeness, encouragement, and the generation of relevant and situated knowledge.
Juan Diego was the best apprentice at the POETA Center... Of course, he had the best Facilitator:
When Mr. Román entered the POETA Center, a group of lively girls were using the computers with great ease. We greeted each other and formed a circle to establish closeness so that no one would be left in the background. Once the introductions were over, a natural exchange was established based on the curiosity to know more about the small metal capsules we showed them. This initiative allowed us to transition into the importance of programming and how it is required in all fields. Maite takes on the role of Facilitator and asks Joselyn, a POETA participant, to invite Juan Diego to program with The Hour of Code There is Susan, a POETA participant, who invited Carlos. That was very exciting. Nothing is as vital and strong as living the experience, that is, moving from discourse to practice. This is the way to demonstrate the capabilities developed by the POETA participants.
