Laura graduated in 2019 from our youth employment programme in Guatemala City, Guatemala where she was trained at the Hotel Hyatt Centric.
Laura grew up in a large household with 10 siblings in Guatemala City. From a young age she would work in her community, cleaning houses, washing clothes and making fireworks – a skill most children in her community learn in order to make an income. Laura only started attending primary school when she was 8 years old because her father considered that girls should not study.
“My family was very closed-minded.”
After finishing primary school, Laura hoped to continue her studies but the only way she could was if she worked to pay for it herself.
Laura learned about our youth employment programme through MAGMA, a programme by World Vision Guatemala, which seeks job placement opportunities for young people from vulnerable areas in the city.
In June 2019, Laura joined the programme where she participated in classroom training designed to improve her English language skills and promote personal development. She then received training in the laundry department, housekeeping and hotel administration at the Hotel Hyatt Centric.
“A big challenge for me was learning to use the computer because in the community I am from, there is no easy access to technology.”
Laura particularly enjoyed working in the accounting department, learning about quality standards, hotel structure, brand positioning, and ranking statistics from senior members of the hotel staff. During the programme, Laura was often praised for her ability to learn new things quickly and she become a well-trusted member of the team – taking on more leadership roles as she progressed.
“Thanks to this initiative, I was able to demonstrate my skills and develop in the workplace.
It has taught me beyond the limits that I learnt from my community and I now aspire to develop myself on different levels.”
After graduating the programme, Laura was employed at the Hotel Hyatt Centric as a housekeeper. This job gives Laura the financial support to continue her education and study accounting at University.
“Thanks to this initiative, I was able to demonstrate my skills and develop in the workplace.
It has taught me beyond the limits that I learnt from my community and I now aspire to develop myself on different levels.”
