CWOW Graduation 2025

This past weekend, we had the incredible privilege of celebrating the graduation of 10 remarkable women from our business entrepreneurship class, a program we run in partnership with Creative Women of the World (CWOW). Over the last four months, these women poured their hearts into developing their small business ideas, diving deep into self-discovery, leadership, marketing, finances, product creation, and all the things it takes to start and sustain a small business.

On Friday, we welcomed a CWOW team, with 8 women from the United States, including the founder of CWOW, who came to encourage and celebrate the graduation with all of us. We hosted a small business fair where each woman showcased her products and processes. The variety of ideas and creativity was amazing: all-natural shampoos, hamburgers, homemade yogurt, beautifully knitted clothes and key chains, and an array of other handmade items. We ate, we laughed, and most importantly, these women beamed with pride as they shared their hard work with others.

Saturday was the graduation ceremony, and it was such a powerful, special time. Each graduate delivered a short presentation about her business idea, reflecting on how she plans to apply the lessons learned and her vision for the future. The CWOW team offered feedback, fresh ideas, and words of encouragement for each woman after her presentation. Leaders from Sumak, FACE, and CWOW shared words and it was so moving to witness the CWOW founder see her vision—planted years ago—blooming right before her eyes and truly changing lives.

The pride and strength in the room were incredible. These women not only completed a course—they built a community. They have formed their own business club to continue supporting each other, sharing ideas, and growing together. Several even volunteered to support the work for future classes however they can.

We shared a meal together afterwards, bridging languages with laughter, a bit of English and Spanish swapping, and the ever-reliable Google Translate. Praise God for the gift of community, the power of partnership, and the unstoppable force of women empowering women!

Written by Santiago Partnership Intern, Jenny Beth Penson