Flavors that transform lives: The story of María and COREPAN
Amid the many challenges migrants face when arriving in a new country, some stories remind us of the power of resilience, solidarity, and entrepreneurial spirit. This is the story of María Herrera, a Venezuelan woman, mother, and caregiver, who chose to transform her own reality—and that of other women in similar situations—through entrepreneurship.
When María migrated to Colombia while pregnant with her daughter, she encountered numerous barriers: unemployment, lack of documentation, limited access to financial services, and the constant worry of providing for her family.
As a migrant, it hurts not being able to eat your own food—your flavors, she recalls.
It was in this feeling of nostalgia and necessity that María found a spark of inspiration. She started cooking. What began as a way to reconnect with her roots soon became a passion—and the seed of her business: COREPAN, a family-run cooking, baking, and pastry venture that today offers not just income, but dignity and hope to many women.
I did it for my daughter, to give her a better life, she says proudly.
A business with heart and purpose
Maria Herrera, emprendedora
COREPAN not only generates income for María and her family but also creates opportunities for other mothers looking for a dignified way to earn a living. While María bakes and prepares the products, other women—most of them Venezuelan and heads of households—sell them within their communities.
She offers the goods on credit, trusting in their commitment, and slowly building a supportive network that fosters collective well-being.
I showed them they could earn income too. It’s not about giving handouts—it’s about lending a hand so they can grow, says María.
Today, she works alongside her sister and her best friend, who contribute creativity and design to the products. Together, they form a team powered by love, talent, and shared vision.
Strengthening, connecting, and growing
According to data from the Observatory of Migrants, Migration, and Human Mobility, between July and August 2024, Bogotá registered 590,737 Venezuelan migrants—approximately 7.4% of the city’s population. Many of them live in conditions of high vulnerability. In this context, the technical, strategic, and human support provided by Heartland Alliance International plays a vital role in advancing their stabilization and integration processes in Colombia.
María is now part of the entrepreneurship program of the PASOS Project, where she’s receiving training, digital tools, business development support, and opportunities to showcase her initiative in spaces like service fairs and business pitch events.
She is also working toward formalizing her business, receiving accounting guidance, and participating in an investment planning process that will allow her to scale up production.
I want to learn how to sell, keep up with technology, and legalize my brand, she says enthusiastically.
An inspiring story of leadership and hope
María’s story, and the story of COREPAN, is a powerful example of how migrant women are not only overcoming adversity—they are leading their own processes of stabilization and growth.
At Heartland Alliance International, we believe that real change is built hand in hand with communities. That’s why we celebrate María, and so many women like her, who bake hope every day, nurture support networks, and prove that it is possible to thrive.
