Juan is a fourth-year secondary student from the Ilo Province in the department of Moquegua. Recently he participated in a project designed by Mary MacKillop Today‘s partner, CEOP Ilo, to strengthen skills for school entrepreneurship, an experience that has been both inspiring and transformative.
From the very beginning, Juan was motivated by the project’s objective. With a longstanding interest in entrepreneurship, he was eager to explore how the world works beyond school and to gain insight into different ways of thinking and acting. The project not only helped him develop new skills but also emphasised the importance of teamwork, exchanging ideas, and learning from others’ perspectives.
Through the project, Juan deepened his understanding of entrepreneurship and related concepts. The practical internships allowed him to apply his knowledge in real-life situations, helping him see how classroom lessons could translate into tangible outcomes.
“One of the skills I developed the most was creativity and the ability to innovate,” he reflects. “During the internships, I contributed new ideas and helped my colleagues think of different solutions. This made me feel more confident and motivated to continue participating and leading in future projects.”
The process of creating a venture was carefully structured, following a methodology that included identifying a problem, planning solutions, prototyping, implementing, and evaluating results using Design Thinking and Lean Canvas. While the final outcome did not fully match their initial ambitions, Juan and his team were proud of their effort and the teamwork they demonstrated.
Juan also credits the guidance and support of his teachers, who encouraged him throughout the process. “Thanks to them, I changed my way of seeing things, gained greater confidence in myself, and learned to value teamwork and the importance of listening to others,” he says. His family, too, played a vital role, offering advice on time management and financial planning, which proved invaluable for the development and completion of the project.
Juan’s experience is a powerful example of how nurturing entrepreneurship skills in young people can build confidence, creativity, and practical knowledge, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Mary MacKillop Today is proud to partner with CEOP Ilo to build the skills of students in Moquega.
