From Prison to Possibility: Women Rebuilding Lives

Across Colombia, incarcerated women face unique challenges. Many are primary caregivers for children or elderly relatives, yet they are often overlooked and underserved. Opportunities to build skills, generate income, and reconnect with their families are scarce, but transformative programs can change that.

Laura Perdomo, legal coordinator and board member of La Fundación Retorno a la Libertad (Return to Freedom Foundation), leads efforts to support women in prison and their families. With our Giving Joy grant, the Foundation successfully implemented a comprehensive handicraft and entrepreneurship program for 30 women at the Cartagena District Prison. The program not only provided practical skills to generate income while incarcerated but also extended its benefits to their families, reaching approximately 50 children and 30 elderly women. Ethical marketing strategies connected the women’s products to local and solidarity-based markets, ensuring sustainability beyond the prison walls.

Participants attended sewing and handcraft workshops where they learned to use sewing machines, create patterns, master finishing techniques, and repurpose materials. One participant, María (in photo), created her first line of bags from recycled fabrics, showing her ability to earn income independently.

Personal development and leadership workshops built self-esteem, fostered teamwork, and supported social reintegration, helping the women regain confidence and purpose. A small craft fair allowed participants to showcase their creations to the community, highlighting their talents and raising awareness about the importance of second chances.

This program has empowered women, strengthened their families, and changed community perceptions - positioning formerly incarcerated women as agents of change rather than stigmatized individuals.