Women from different neighborhoods across the city are transforming the historic “La Playita” street into a hub of economic empowerment and cultural revitalization.
On April 2, the San Buenaventura neighborhood witnessed a historic and cultural milestone. On the iconic street known as “La Playita,” the Fundación Jefatura Femenina del Hogar (FUNDAJEFEHOGAR) held the First Traditional Sweets Fair with resounding success as part of the “Dulces de la Memoria en Buenaventura” project. This event not only delighted the palates of attendees but also ignited the spark of entrepreneurship and economic autonomy among dozens of women from different neighborhoods across the city.
This wonderful display of knowledge and empowerment was made possible thanks to the support and co-financing of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Knowledge, an entity that believed in the transformative power of the women of Buenaventura.
A place steeped in history and resilience
Although the participants represented various neighborhoods in the city, holding the fair on “La Playita” Street in Comuna 9 carried a profound sense of living memory. This historic part of the neighborhood tells the story of the founding women who migrated from the rural areas of Buenaventura. In the beginning, they lived in Localidad 1 in stilt houses built on land reclaimed from the sea and earned their livelihood by selling seafood at the well-remembered coastal “Playita.” Upon being relocated to Localidad 2, they recreated that spirit of hard work and community on this street, managing to supply the entire Comuna 9 with their products. Today, women from across the region honor that legacy through sweet treats.
Ancestral knowledge passed down from generation to generation
The success of this fair is the result of a rigorous training process that began in the village of La Gloria. There, the participants were trained in the preparation of traditional sweets thanks to the valuable knowledge of local experts such as Felipa Cuero and Maria Herminia Parra. With love and patience, they shared the recipes and techniques passed down to them by their ancestors, ensuring that the Pacific’s heritage remains alive in every bite of “Dulces de la Memoria.”
Strategic partnerships for real empowerment
To ensure that this initiative leads to sustainable and long-lasting businesses, FUNDAJEFEHOGAR collaborated with key partners who provided comprehensive tools to the participants:
- SENA: She actively participated in the process by training women in customer service, ensuring a high-quality service for shoppers.
- WWB Colombia: It trained women entrepreneurs in successful money management, providing key financial education to help them manage their resources.
- Cámara de Comercio de Buenaventura: As a key partner in this chain, it currently trains women through its prestigious “Transfórmate” program, promoting the formalization and growth of their business ideas.
Through this fair, the Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Knowledge reaffirm their commitment to the development of Buenaventura, demonstrating that when historical memory, ancestral knowledge, and technical training come together, women become the unstoppable driving force behind the economy and peace in their communities.
