Intervida supports sociocultural projects which help children and youths integrate and socialize in Colombia
Madrid (16/05/2008). The Colombian youth currently faces various problems such as violence, illiteracy, poverty and a lack of spaced and educational and cultural programs in which they can socialize and enjoy their free time. Data from the Colombian Institute on Family Welfare reveals that more than two million are not enrolled in the educational system, that illiteracy in the urban area is at 11% while it reaches as high as 30% in rural areas, and that nearly 2.5 million children and youths work. Additionally, more than 12 million minors under 18 years old were living in poverty in 2003.
Faced with this reality, many minors do not feel attended to or appreciated. To avoid this, it is important to offer actions which are appealing and interesting while promoting children’s and young people’s development in a positive way. INTERVIDA is working in this country with Metropoli Association Colombia and in association with the Luker Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and other national and municipal entities in order to promote sociocultural projects for children and youths which encourage their integration and participation in the community through cultural, educational, sports and recreational activities.
The experience began in 2007 in the municipality of Manizales, where 46% of the population have at least 26 years. Four schools in this municipality, which attends to 3,200 students, participated in two projects: ‘Strengthening reading’ and ‘Shared living spaces’. For the first of these, media and games libraries were established where students could enjoy 32 sessions of oral narration on different themes in literature, mythology and values; of 20 workshops of literary creation with the aim of reinforcing participants’ writing skills and style; and 32 cinema days related with literary works.
The second project, ‘Shared living spaces’ – which is included within the Luker Foundation’s Active Urban School program – was carried out in the Cultural Center of the Nevado neighborhood, and with the participation of 400 students from the four schools previously mentioned. The participants enjoyed recreational and sports activities, such as cine-club sessions, cultural excursions, artistic murals, education for life days, and football and mini-football championships.
This year, the experience was extended to the municipalities of Bogota and Cartagena, introducing new activities which contribute to improving the living conditions and vulnerability of children and youths. This program is divided into six thematic areas: media libraries, artistic expression (theater, dance, circus, painting, music, etc.), educational resource center for the teacher, education for life and peace, social and job training and guidance, and organization and management for development.
To highlight some of the aforementioned: in artistic expression, children and youths can enjoy theater, dance, circus, painting, music and artistic festivals; life education will emphasize communication and dialogue and will work on important issues such as sexual and reproductive health; and social and work training and guidance will provide individual guidance on professional training and integration into the workplace.
These activities will be conducted to strengthen the social values of these children and youths, such as exercising citizenship, gender perspectives, communication, dialogue, caring for the environment and living in harmony, among others, which will enable them to improve their development and well-being. It should not be forgotten that children and youths are a country’s future and that guaranteeing their favorable development to adulthood is important for the progress and welfare of any country or society.
About INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities around the world. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in various countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
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