Kite Oxford

Mentorship Scheme Director
Sofía Pérez Ortúzar

Although my academic background is commercial, linked to the business world, throughout my life, I have participated in many social projects and volunteering. I come from Chile, Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and we always suffer from the effects of natural disasters. In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with communities on reconstruction issues, after the 2010 earthquake. In support of victims of the 2014 Atacama alluvium and management in states of emergency, I also supported an NGO that helps Haitian immigrants with their insertion in our country.

This year I started working in Kenya, I am currently working on two projects, the first seeks to improve the quality of life of orphaned children, from the slums Mathare and Kibera. I work in conjunction with a children’s home to deliver nutrition, health, education, and infrastructure improvement programs. We recently started a new agriculture program to help them change to a sustainable model. I also work with the children and youngsters in the development of soft skills related to entrepreneurship and basic management abilities, education, and psychological support to prepare them for their future.

My strong connection with Kenya, its culture and its people led me to participate in the Kite program, and I am currently helping in the mentoring program through monitoring and evaluation of the project.

I am deeply convinced that societies can change. I struggle to improve the quality of life of people, increase their access to opportunities and help them develop and be agents of change, to promote economic and social development for a better world.

The important thing is to understand what is the best way to do it, that’s why I think Kite has a lot of value to offer to the world. Through these programs, we will be able to measure impact and help NGO and ordinary people to make better decisions about where to put efforts to fight against poverty.