Sofitel Barú Cartagena and the Aluna Foundation: an alliance for the social inclusion and empowerment of people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities

Barú, 2025. — The Sofitel Barú Cartagena hotel reaffirms its commitment to social responsibility through a significant alliance with the Aluna Foundation , a non-profit organization that has been working for more than 26 years to promote the comprehensive inclusion of people with disabilities and guarantee their rights.

As part of this collaboration, the hotel has placed Foundation staff in real-life work environments, providing opportunities for training, autonomy, and personal development. One of the most inspiring stories is that of Rocelis , a young woman who began her experience welcoming guests at the Calablanca restaurant and now continues her training in support roles in the service area, with excellent results and the full support of the Sofitel team.

This effort is part of the Learning in the Workplace program , an initiative of the Aluna Foundation that creates real-life work spaces for adults with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities, supported by a professional team that facilitates their inclusion. This model has been implemented in various hotels in Cartagena, with young people working in areas such as the kitchen, pastry shop, and reception.

The arrival of this experience at Sofitel Barú Cartagena marked a new milestone. Rocelis was the first to join after a six-month mentoring process. Given the excellent experience, the hotel decided to extend its partnership for an additional six months, becoming the only establishment to continue beyond the initial pilot.

“It has been a privilege for us to have Rocelis on the team. Her dedication, energy, and constant evolution remind us that true luxury is also reflected in diversity, inclusion, and the positive impact we can make on people's lives,” said Yannick Sorro , general manager of Sofitel Barú Cartagena. “This partnership with Fundación Aluna has allowed us to grow as an organization and as a community, and is proof that social commitment and excellence can go hand in hand.”

Beyond the workplace, this story is also deeply human. Rocelis lives with her maternal grandmother, Doña Adela, who has been her primary caregiver since birth. Her mother, also intellectually disabled, was unable to raise her, so her grandmother became her maternal figure and a tireless advocate for her rights. Two years ago, Rocelis participated in the Olympics in Bogotá, another testament to her persevering spirit.

Currently, the Aluna Foundation impacts 1,301 people —including children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities or at risk—through programs with local, national, and international partners. With a systemic, psychosocial, and educational approach, it promotes the active participation of its beneficiaries in society and the recognition of their abilities, fostering respect, autonomy, and dignity.

One of the most notable programs is the Workplace Learning Program , coordinated by psychologist Meliza Cardozo and educator Anderson Figueroa , which supports young people and adults in their job placement and entrepreneurship processes, strengthening cognitive, communication, social, and emotional skills to improve their quality of life.

Thanks to the partnership with Sofitel Barú Cartagena, Rocelis and her family's dream has come true: the opportunity to be connected to the formal workforce and demonstrate the transformative power of inclusion.

This collaboration is an example of how the hotel sector can become an agent of social change, transforming lives and paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive society. Through luxury with a purpose, Sofitel Barú Cartagena demonstrates that excellence is also reflected in the positive impact it leaves on communities.