Fundación Terra, through its participation in the POETA Social Franchise (Program of Economic Opportunities through Technology in the Americas), is joining forces with the international organization The Trust For The Americas in collaboration with Microsoft, as well as the Renewable Energy Mechanisms (MECER) and Renewable Generation of Honduras (HELIOS) companies. They are inaugurating the Digital Skills Center (POETA) at the San José de la Landa Community Center in Choluteca. This is the second of four POETA centers Fundación Terra will implement in Honduras during 2023 and subsequently in the region, in accordance with its commitments as a member of the Partnership for Central America (PCA).

The POETA Social Franchise aims to promote social and economic inclusion of vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean through access, use, and appropriation of technologies, as well as comprehensive in-person and virtual educational strategies. Through training in digital life skills, POETA Centers help people build a better future by providing economic opportunities such as finding employment, advancing in their careers, starting a micro-enterprise, or continuing their studies.

By implementing the POETA Center at the San José de la Landa Community Center, three nearby communities will benefit, including San José de la Landa, La Fortunita, and Montecillos. The POETA center will reach approximately 1341 residents, enabling them to access and use technology to strengthen their capacities, skills, and abilities, aiming for economic growth, promotion of employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship in their communities.

Lara Bersano Calot, Communications Director of The Trust for the Americas, highlighted during the center's opening ceremony, "The work of the digital skills centers that we develop at The Trust for the Americas began in Central America in 2004. Since then, we have impacted over 4 million people in 27 countries, and in 2023, we are very proud to inaugurate our 361st center with Foundation TERRA, MECER, HELIOS, and Microsoft. The network to which the POETA Center at the San José de la Landa Community Center belongs is a network of 361 entities working to improve the lives of hundreds of people in each of their communities. Through this network, you will have access to updated technologies and content, Microsoft licenses, content for personal and entrepreneurial development, and most importantly, access to a human group of professionals who are constantly thinking of solutions and methodologies to support each person in our region, empowering them and improving their development capacity."

The POETA Center will be available during daytime hours from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for children, youth, and adults from different communities around the Community Center. They will have access to training and educational platforms covering, among other things:

• Digital Literacy
• Computer Science
• Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills
• Life Skills

Additionally, Microsoft, as a partner of The Trust for the Americas, provides Software Licenses (Windows and Office Suite).

Paola Villanueva, Sustainability Manager of MECER and HELIOS, commented, "We are very pleased to establish the POETA Center in San José de la Landa, one of the communities influenced by our solar parks, MECER and HELIOS. We hope that neighboring companies and communities can take advantage of this training space because we believe that investing in education and the development of technological skills will enable young people to have better opportunities for personal and professional growth."

Mariel Rivera, Executive Director of Fundación Terra added, "At Foundation Terra, together with The Trust for the Americas, we will continue to collaborate to implement the first 4 POETA Centers in Honduras, aiming to provide comprehensive and inclusive educational opportunities with digital skills and competencies for life. Our goal is to shape citizens committed to the development of their environment."