Rebuilding lives together
Intro
Konecta Foundation interviewed Alida Weht, President of Las Omas, one of the winning organizations from our Internal Call for Social Projects, an annual initiative that empowers Konecta employees around the world to give back to their local communities and improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
Las Omas is a grassroots organization based in Córdoba, Argentina, that’s been creating real change for women in vulnerable situations since 2011. In this conversation, Alida shares the story of how it all began, what keeps them going, and how support from Konecta Foundation is helping them take their work even further. She also opens up about the challenges they face and the inspiring stories of transformation that make it all worth it.
What’s the story behind the founding of Las Omas?
Las Omas ONG, a nonprofit organization, was born in 2011 with the goal of supporting mothers of children attending kindergarten and primary school in the area. Due to a lack of resources, many of these women had nowhere to go during school hours and often ended up scattered in the public square, exposed to the elements. This led us to organize ourselves into a simple association to launch our first support and training project. We borrowed the kitchen of the community hall, located in the same space, and invited these women in for a cup of mate, a chat, and the chance to begin building relationships and reflecting together.
Over time, the organization expanded and began reaching more people in the community: mothers who attend Health Center 84, students from IPEA No. 4, and even older women from the neighborhood, many of whom were dealing with loneliness or wanted to feel useful.
The main catalysts were: women’s lack of financial resources to travel home and back while their children were at school, the normalization of violence and abuse, and a mother-child dynamic that limited women to a single role. So, we created an opportunity to welcome them into the community hall’s kitchen, to talk, connect, and start exploring new possibilities for this universe of women.
What are Las Omas’s mission and core values?
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for women in situations of socio-economic vulnerability, those who are experiencing or have experienced gender-based violence, poverty, and social exclusion.
We achieve this through support, education, skills training, and the production of goods and services. We are a horizontal, women-led organization built on solidarity, working with responsibility, honesty, and transparency, always respecting the dignity and confidentiality of the individuals we serve. These are the values that guide us.
What are your biggest challenges when supporting women in vulnerable situations?
Las Omas is a civil association made up of more than 360 women, all of whom experience some form of economic and social vulnerability. A high percentage of them haven’t finished school, which limits their access to the job market and prevents them from gaining financial independence. This economic dependence and lack of autonomy place them in an extremely vulnerable position, often forcing them to remain in violent domestic environments.
Most women initially come to Las Omas seeking a space of safety and support to help them confront the various forms of violence they face simply because they are women.
Our work is focused in the eastern outskirts of Córdoba, Argentina. Most Las Omas members live in a semi-rural, marginalized area along the Chacra de La Merced road and surrounding neighborhoods. This land used to be part of the city’s “green belt,” producing fruits and vegetables for local markets. However, pollution caused by the malfunctioning wastewater treatment plant made agriculture unsustainable. The area was transformed by gravel pits, which created lagoons and informal dumps.
Basic services are lacking or entirely absent and some areas don’t have clean water, paved roads, street lighting, or internet access. None of the neighborhoods have natural gas, and many don’t even have garbage collection. Only one bus line services part of the area, which is insufficient, especially during the school year. Health services are scarce, and access to higher education is extremely limited because the sole bus line doesn’t reach the health campus or university, only the city center.
What are the most significant results that Las Omas has achieved so far?
Las Omas’s response to this reality has been to offer training and workshops on trades and job skills, with the goal of encouraging self-employment, cooperative work, and social entrepreneurship. We also support women in completing their primary and secondary education, providing school supplies, study materials, transportation, and assistance with paperwork to boost confidence and learning.
We offer psychological and social support, and we encourage women to take on greater responsibilities within the organization. This helps them achieve personal growth, empowerment, and transformation of their circumstances. We firmly believe women are capable and deserve the real conditions necessary to make free decisions that can change their lives and those of their families.
Over the years, we’ve developed 8 productive units, ranging from textiles and event catering to construction and recycling. These units have created opportunities for over 100 women.
How does Konecta support Las Omas, and what is the impact so far?
The project funded by Konecta will allow us to take a transformative step forward in our work. It has positioned us differently, both within the community and in terms of future opportunities. We know this initiative will have a powerful effect in the area: building eco-friendly housing using local materials and labor, providing a home for one family, and creating a space where other families can learn the techniques, experience community collaboration, and discover the health and economic benefits of sustainable construction.
It’s a beautiful and far-reaching project, strategic, replicable, and perfectly aligned with the needs and spirit of the region and the times we’re living in.
Please share a success story of a beneficiary who started a new life with your and the Konecta Foundation’s support?
We have many “success” stories. We actually call them “graduates,” even though many of these women continue to grow within Las Omas. One that comes to mind is Susana. She took part in a “Dreams Workshop” and was inspired to start studying nursing. Today, she’s a professional nurse.
Another is Karina Fernández. She initially came to Las Omas very timid and afraid. Over time, she trained in different areas, developed personal and culinary skills (thanks to scholarships), and today she’s a Practical Cooking Instructor and head of the “Savory Foods” division in our Catering Production Unit. She also independently runs a soup kitchen serving over 85 people in her neighborhood.
Karina overcame countless challenges, toxic and violent relationships, and received training in many fields that gave her the tools to grow and help others rise as well.
Is there anything else important you would like to share?
I think our biggest challenge remains shifting the paradigm of how society views social organizations. We recognize that many needs remain unmet and that inequalities must be urgently addressed. We believe all sectors of society need to get involved—to understand other realities, to empathize with those who haven’t had the same opportunities. We want to invite people to look at things through a new lens or with no filters at all.
We’re convinced that when we include others, new possibilities and solutions emerge. Moving from being a “beneficiary” of a “benefactor” to becoming part of a productive unit brings women into a much more dignified, active, and empowered role. Becoming a supplier to a company or institution is one way to level the playing field—from the bottom up.