By 
By Nana Theresa Timothy
The world of blockchain is filled with innovators, dreamers, and disruptors but few stories shine as brightly as that of Santiago Trujillo Zuluaga, a self-taught coder who rose from the streets of Colombia to become a respected Developer Advocate at Lisk. His path, marked by resilience and self-belief, illustrates how technology can break cycles of limitation and open doors to global opportunities.
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Humble Beginnings
In 2020, Santiago left his home country and moved to Portugal in search of a better life. Like many immigrants, the road ahead was uncertain, and survival meant taking whatever work was available. His first job was as a tuk-tuk driver, ferrying tourists around city streets.
The Tuk-tuk used by Santiago few years ago
But that was only the beginning. Soon after, he picked up odd jobs: cleaning houses, washing dishes, and waiting tables. Each role was a stepping stone, not a destination. While others might have settled into the rhythm of such work, Santiago quietly nurtured a bigger dream.
I started as a tuk-tuk driver, Then I cleaned houses, washed dishes, and became a waiter. It wasn’t easy, but I knew deep down I wanted something more.”
Santiago working as a Tuk-tuk driver
A Spark of Discovery
That “something more” came in an unexpected form: coding. In the quiet hours after long shifts, Santiago turned to free online tutorials, determined to change his trajectory. With nothing but curiosity, persistence, and YouTube videos, he began learning the fundamentals of programming.
He started with HTML and CSS, then moved on to JavaScript and Solidity, the language of blockchain. It was not a smooth journey, without mentors, bootcamps, or modern AI tools, every bug and error felt like a mountain to climb.
“Back then, I didn’t have ChatGPT,” Santiago reflects. “Solving one issue could take me two days. Today, with AI, the same issue can be solved in ten minutes. But those struggles taught me something deeper: knowledge is free and available to anyone willing to put in the time.”
Learning in the Margins
For Santiago, learning wasn’t just about career growth — it was survival, identity, and hope. Each new skill was a step away from poverty and instability. Slowly, his nights of self-study began to pay off.
He started experimenting with blockchain projects, building small applications, and contributing to online communities. What had once been a side hobby quickly became a passion. Blockchain, with its open-source ethos and decentralized spirit, resonated deeply with his own journey of self-liberation.
Coding gave me freedom, It showed me that I could create something valuable, even if I started with nothing. Blockchain, in particular, taught me that opportunities don’t have borders.”Santiago said.
From Odd Jobs to Tech Advocate
Santiago’s persistence didn’t go unnoticed. With time, he transitioned from being a learner on the sidelines to an active voice in blockchain circles. His dedication and community contributions eventually landed him a role as a Developer Advocate at Lisk, one of the prominent blockchain platforms.
Santiago Trujillo Zuluaga sharing insights as a Lisk Advocate.
In this role, he helps onboard developers into the ecosystem, shares insights on building decentralized applications, and inspires others with his story. For him, it’s not just about technology, it’s about empowering people to believe in their ability to transform their lives.
I never had formal training, Everything I know came from consistency, trial and error, and free resources online. If I can do it, anyone can.” Santiago emphasizes.
Breaking Cycles, Creating Opportunities
What makes Santiago’s story remarkable is not just the leap from tuk-tuk driving to blockchain advocacy, but the lesson it carries for millions of others. His journey underscores that with persistence, access to knowledge, and the will to learn, barriers can be broken.
For immigrants struggling to adapt in foreign countries, for young people in underserved communities, or for anyone trapped in jobs that don’t reflect their potential, Santiago’s path is proof that transformation is possible.
Knowledge is free, What matters is commitment and consistency.” Santiago said
The Bigger Picture
Santiago’s story also reflects a wider truth about the digital age: technology is the great equalizer. Unlike traditional careers that often require costly education or powerful networks, coding and blockchain offer a path open to anyone with an internet connection and determination.
Free platforms like YouTube, GitHub, and open-source communities are creating an environment where the next great developer could come from anywhere, a village in Africa, a small town in Asia, or a migrant washing dishes in Europe.
The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has only accelerated this accessibility. Where once learners spent days untangling errors, they now have on-demand tutors, reducing barriers and making the journey less intimidating. For Santiago, this evolution is both exciting and personal. He knows how much harder it was before, but he also sees how much faster new developers can grow today.
An Inspiration for the Future
As Santiago reflects on his journey, his message is clear: the opportunities of blockchain and coding are not reserved for the privileged alone. They belong to anyone with the courage to start, the patience to persist, and the faith to keep going when it gets tough.
From tuk-tuk driver to tech advocate, his story is not just about personal triumph, it’s about what becomes possible when resilience meets opportunity.
“Blockchain gave me a future I never imagined,” he says. “But more importantly, it gave me a voice. And now, I want others to know they can do the same.”
With technology, dreams once impossible, become reality
In a world where narratives about migrants and underprivileged workers often focus on struggle, Santiago’s story offers something different: hope, resilience, and empowerment. It reminds us that no job defines your destiny and that with technology, dreams once thought impossible can become reality.
The tuk-tuk driver who once ferried tourists through Portugal’s streets is now helping shape the future of blockchain. His journey is not just inspiring, it’s a roadmap for anyone ready to take the leap.
