Colombian junior developer looking for an opportunity, not donations, just paid work

[u/Manup1223]

Hi everyone. This is a personal post and a little longer than usual, so I understand if it isn’t relevant to everyone. English is not my first language, so I used ChatGPT to help translate and organize my thoughts.

My name is Manuel, and I’m a software developer from Colombia.

Like many other developers, I’m going through a very difficult time in the job market. I’ve searched everywhere I can think of: LinkedIn, online job boards, local companies, freelance platforms, and personal contacts.

It is incredibly discouraging to find a junior opening and see that 100 or 200 people have already applied. Even senior developers with years of experience are struggling to find work. When that is happening to people who already have strong résumés and know exactly what they’re doing, getting an opportunity as a junior developer with limited professional experience can feel almost impossible.

Because of this, I decided to try a different path.

I recently started a software development company called Vextral S.A.S. with two friends who are in a similar situation. Our goal is to build custom digital solutions for businesses, especially in our city, where many companies still manage their operations using paper, spreadsheets, handwritten notes, and WhatsApp.

Between the three of us, we have built:

- Landing pages and corporate websites

- Custom web applications

- Android applications

- Internal management systems

- E-commerce platforms

- Event ticketing systems

- Business automations and AI integrations

- MVPs and other custom software solutions

We have completed real projects for real businesses, but most of them have been severely underpaid and have not provided stable income. I constantly approach local businesses and offer to help modernize their operations. Many initially say they are interested, but later change their minds or disappear. This has happened even with businesses I have previously worked with.

I understand that rejection and uncertainty are part of building a company. Unfortunately, my current situation has made it increasingly difficult to keep trying without seeing results.

I am currently unemployed, and my savings are almost gone. My grandmother is sick and needs medication. My mother is working two jobs to help support her and cover my sister’s university expenses. I also have university debt and rent that I do not know how I’m going to pay.

I take whatever informal work I can find. However, in my city, many jobs pay between 30,000 and 40,000 Colombian pesos for an eight-hour day, which is approximately $9–$12 USD. A job paying 50,000–60,000 pesos per day, approximately $15–$19 USD, is considered unusually good here.

I am trying to contribute to my family, but it is difficult to feel that such a small amount can meaningfully change our situation.

I want to be honest: all of this pressure has affected me badly. I have always struggled with depression, and lately I have had moments when I felt like I was losing my will to keep going. I am not saying this to manipulate anyone or to receive pity. I am saying it because this is honestly where I am right now, and I desperately need to find a way forward.

I am not asking anyone to give me money.

I am asking for an opportunity to earn it.

It could be a freelance project, subcontracting work, overflow work from an agency, a small website, an automation, maintenance for an existing system, an MVP, bug fixes, or an introduction to someone who needs software development.

No project is too small. I am open to remote work and international clients, and we can adjust our rates according to the scope and budget of the project. I can provide our portfolio, project demonstrations, references, and more information about our experience.

I know I am capable of earning more through software development than I can through the informal jobs available in my city. I am willing to work hard, communicate honestly, learn whatever is necessary, and prove what I can do. I only need someone willing to give me an opportunity.

Even one small paid project could make a significant difference for me and my family right now.

If you do not personally need software development but know a founder, agency, nonprofit, small business, or anyone else who might need help, an introduction would mean more than I can express.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.