U.S. Supports former combatants working in the bakery industry

U.S. Supports former combatants working in the bakery industry

A group of 35 former combatants in Medellin found in baking a way to secure a better future for themselves and their families, thanks to the support of a program financed by the U.S. Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID), Microempresas de Antioquia and the Presidential High Council for Reintegration (ACR for its acronym in Spanish).

These former combatants, currently employed by Colgalletas S.A. in Medellin, graduated last Tuesday, August 18 as operators on the brownie and wafer cookie assembly lines, as part of the training program led by Microempresas de Antioquia. The ceremony was held at the Institute for the Development of Antioquia Development’s Auditorium. Among those present at the ceremony were Sandra Pabon, deputy director for USAID’s Demobilization and Reintegration Program; Alberto Valencia, CEO for Microempresas de Antioquia; Camilo Leguizamo, coordinator for IOM Reincorporation Support Program and representatives from the Antioquia Governor’s Office and Medellín’s Mayor’s Office.

This program began in 2007 with a total cost of approximately USD 158,000 divided as follows: USAID bid USD 70,500, Microempresas de Antioquia USD 45,000 and ACR USD 42,500.

The program included training 50 former combatants in various areas in line with their professional profile. Some were trained in baking, others as messengers and general services. Thanks to the incorporation of former combatants, Colgalletas increased the number of shifts from one to three, raising wafer cookies production from 3,000 to 9,000 units and brownie production from 80,000 to 240,000 units.