Victor Cortez, territorial liaison for Forjar Oportunidades, tells how the program has changed his life, that of his family, and that of many vulnerable youth.
Whatwas once a job opportunity for Victor Cortez is now his everything. And he says it without fear of being wrong: "With the Forjar Oportunidades program, which is part of the Compromiso Valle alliance, I have the possibility of contributing a grain of sand in the change of country that we all want".
Victor, a 34-year-old trans man, father of a 14-year-old child, born, raised and educated in the municipality of Tumaco, Nariño, and today a human rights defender, health promoter and member of several collectives, knows first-hand what violence and inequality are.
"I am a victim of violence in this country and displaced from my municipality. And that is very hard because it is not leaving a territory and that's it, but on the contrary, it is arriving to a territory you do not know, with other customs, another culture totally different from yours, it is leaving your family, your roots, your childhood, your essence as such in your land. That is why, when they explained to me the objectives of the Forging Opportunities program in Cali and other areas of the Valley, I knew that this could be my happy place, where change begins, where opportunities are born and where I can make sure that what happened to me, perhaps, will not be repeated with other people", says Victor.
What does being a territorial liaison mean to Victor?
Victor works as a territorial liaison in Forjar Oportunidades and he loves that job because it is what he has been doing throughout his life. In his words, liaison is "basically being the bridge between the community, the forjadores, and the professional team. It's gaining the trust of the youth or beneficiaries of the program and becoming that support they need. I am the person who is there and believes in them, and that makes the process much more bearable.
And the formula of being everyone's bridge has worked very well for Victor: "There are many kids who are very quiet, who almost don't like to talk to professionals, and I have been able to gain their trust and they do tell me things, which allows me to help them. At least I know that many of them are saving their money in order to strengthen their businesses in the future, whether it is printing, food or as influencers".
In addition, says Victor, "what I like most about being a territorial liaison is being able to understand the reality of many young people, to see what is beyond the way they dress, the way they express themselves, their substance abuse, their lives. It allows me to understand that these are young people who have not had more opportunities because they have not had the chance to study or to bring food to their homes, since most of them are young people who live with their mothers and they have had to do whatever it takes to bring a plate of food to their tables".
For all this, Victor insists that "these realities make me get up every day with all the attitude and enthusiasm to go to work. As territorial liaison I have two groups, both in different sectors of eastern Cali, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, and no matter how tired I get, the pleasure of being able to contribute and that the young people recognize my work is stronger".
Victor also says that there is another reason that keeps him happy in Forjar Oportunidades: "It is an inclusive program, where they recognize me as I am, taking into account that I am a trans man, here I do not feel discriminated against and everyone who is part of this program values and respects me".
Victor's life project
Now, Victor wants to become a social worker, because since he was a child he has liked to serve and contribute to positive change. However, he assures that "a card does not make you a professional and beyond that, wisdom and humanity come from experience, life and what you have in your heart. I do not have a degree, but I consider myself an innate and good social worker, who has been recognized nationally and internationally, because I have had the opportunity for my voice to be the echo of many voices in Colombia and other countries.
Victor also hopes that his son will be a professional and follow his example. "My son tells me that he wants to be like me, that he feels very proud of me and that he wants to defend Human Rights. He has been in all the difficult and joyful processes of my life and it makes me proud to know that I am doing my job well as a dad. My child is one of those young people who look for opportunities to take advantage of them, that is why it is so important that everyone continues to bet on programs like Forjar Oportunidades, which transform the life projects of the most vulnerable".
