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Arequipa, Peru — August 2025 This August, a new pilot initiative will launch in southern Peru with the goal of training a group of Venezuelan migrants in artisanal jewelry-making techniques and entrepreneurship fundamentals. The Entrepreneurship Program in Artisanal Jewelry and Metalwork Design and Production will take place in the city of Arequipa and will bring together 20 participants for an intensive 8-day (48-hour) workshop. The approach combines the ancient lost-wax technique with practical sessions on business modeling, digital marketing, and commercial management — all aimed at transforming manual skills into a sustainable source of income. This program has been designed and delivered in collaboration with two outstanding figures: Rafael Bello , a Cuban-Venezuelan goldsmith, sculptor, and painter with over 40 years of international experience in the world of contemporary jewelry. Founder of BELLODLUX, he has trained generations of artists throughout Latin America and Europe, known for his mastery of the lost-wax technique and his commitment to social transformation through art. Christian Delacruz , a business mentor and serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in strategy, leadership, and innovation across more than 20 countries. He has founded over 10 companies, served as an advisor for corporations like P&G, LG, and Virgin StartUp, and currently leads initiatives such as ENKI, Team Academy Peru, and W3H Strativa Latam. His involvement ensures that participants not only learn a trade but also how to turn it into a viable and sustainable business.  Together, these facilitators have combined their artistic and entrepreneurial expertise to provide Venezuelan migrants with a holistic opportunity for personal and economic empowerment. This program is part of Amamericana’s long-term vision — a Canadian initiative dedicated to empowering migrant and vulnerable communities through dignified trades, business training, and community development rooted in Christian values. The ultimate goal is to replicate this structure across different regions of Latin America, offering a concrete pathway from precariousness to self-sufficiency. On-the-ground execution will also be led by missionary Pastors Azaria and Duma Girma, recognized for their work with at-risk populations in Peru. Their ministry has served victims of abuse, human trafficking, and homelessness, and they now take on the role of local facilitators and spiritual mentors for the program. Funding for this first edition has been largely provided by Planta Minera La Valerosa SAC, a gold processing operation in southern Peru. Although the plant operates as a for-profit business, it dedicates a significant portion of its income to supporting humanitarian causes in the region — including programs like this workshop. “Our approach is not simply about aid. We aim to restore dignity and open up real opportunities for transformation,” said a spokesperson from the organizing team. “This pilot workshop is just the beginning of something much bigger.” If successful, the Arequipa model will be replicated in other cities, expanding its reach to additional artisanal disciplines such as leatherwork, textiles, and digital design. Applications are now open, with priority given to unemployed or vulnerable Venezuelan migrants. For more information, visit the relevant section on the website.