Being Rich Can Change The World

Chile is the 3rd most unequal country in the OECD.

Despite the impressive decline in poverty and the developments achieved across over three decades of political stability, high levels of inequality are still an obstacle to social mobility. This is most evident in rural areas – 83% of Chile’s national territory - due to poor access to basic assets, from good housing conditions (61% in rural areas compared to 90% in urban areas), to the availability of broadband internet (16% in rural areas vs 60% in urban areas).

 Building Bridges for the Future, by Balloon Latam, tackles wealth inequality in rural Chile by generating links between rural entrepreneurs and businesspeople, students, and representatives from local and international organisations. The trainings empower entrepreneurs with the skills to drive sustainable innovation and the new relationships promote networks and commercial access to regional and national markets.

In the 4th Perspectives interview, we asked Sandra and Valeria - respectively a tourism entrepreneur from the mountain area of Chochamó, and a Balloon mentor from Mexico City - for their personal view on essential aspects of life and on their mutual mentoring experience.  

It turns out that both the wealthy and the non-wealthy gained a life-changing experience. And, as Valeria says, being rich means that “you have the power in your hands to help many. It is a commitment that some people do not want to or cannot make, but if they give themselves the opportunity to do so, they can change the world […]. It is a decision, and it is difficult in many cases.”