Work method
Education as the aim of our foundation
Our Target Group
Many people in Colombia live in poverty. In Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia with approximately 3.5 million inhabitants, this is clearly visible in the center and in the outskirts of the city. Many children disadvantaged by poverty, domestic violence, neglect, sexual harassment, and / or addiction live in these places. These are children who in their environment are not encouraged or challenged to work at a better quality of living, now and in the future. Due to this lack of encouragement and challenge, the situation of children, their families and future generations will not improve or will hardly improve. Because every child deserves a fair chance to become a worthy member of society, it is our mission to promote the social integration of these children and expand their future prospects. With the aim that children learn to make conscious decisions independently and eventually improve their personal situation by themselves.
Method
Fundación Caminos offers children an extensive program with educational, sports, recreational and cultural activities in a safe environment. During these activities, we make children aware that they are responsible for their future and that they can make their dreams come true if they work hard to achieve it.
Education is the most important aim of the foundation; this is central in all our activities. Education and development of children goes beyond the foundation. Children go to school, that is also a condition to participate in our activities, and as a basis, we guide children in their development process so that they can choose vocational training and formal work after they finished secondary school.
The foundation works with the children of the Poder Joven and Jardín de Amor homes in the city center, and with children in the Carambolas and Bello Oriente neighborhoods of comuna 3. In addition to working with children, families and caregivers also participate in activities.
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Objectives
All children are welcome to participate in all the activities offered by the foundation. During activities, we want to promote positive behavior and reduce negative behavior. We try to achieve this by rewarding positive behavior, with a focus on norms and values, perseverance, knowledge, independence and leadership. Interaction with children and the content of the activities are of great importance.
Promote compliance with norms and values
This refers to things such as being on time, making appointments, showing respect for teachers and other children, and so on. Children learn the importance of norms and values that everyone respects.
Reduce school absenteeism
Children are required to attend classes at school. Each semester the child shows the grades from the school and as soon as the results are not good, special attention will be given to the child in order to improve the results.
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Promote perseverance
Children participate in activities because they like it, it becomes a hobby and sometimes even a passion. The challenge offered by the activities ensures that the child promotes perseverance and gets the best of themself.
Promote knowledge
Meetings are organized for children (and parents in neighborhoods) where current issues are discussed to increase participation and awareness that are considered important for child development.
Activities are organized to promote reading among children. Children are offered the opportunity to read books (in Spanish and English). They have the opportunity to borrow a book of their level and interest.
Promote independence
We want to promote the process of awareness regarding the choices that will be made in daily life. There are spaces where children can express themselves and be more aware of the choices they make and be more aware of the relationship between activities and society.
Children have a responsibility to be on time for activities, even when traveling by bus or subway. The foundation encourages independent travel. Traveling costs money and children receive a certain amount from the foundation they have to sign up for. They themselves are responsible for good administration and once the money runs out they have to show this administration to receive more money. There is contact by phone, email and Facebook, so we promote that the child can take responsibility by themself.
We encourage children to take care of their belongings. The children borrow or receive materials (a book, soccer shoes, crafts, etc.) as a reward and learn to take care of their belongings.
Promote leadership
In the activities there are spaces for children to express themselves and listen carefully. They are assigned responsibilities in which they must guide the group, and when they take initiatives they are encouraged.
This approach seeks to increase independence and thus create the conditions to promote the social integration of each child individually.
We find personal guidance of great importance in all the activities we offer. Our teachers act as mentors and as the first point of contact. Psychological help is available for children who need it. However, because in the long term we cannot (and do not want) to improve the situation of children without the help of parents and guardians, we also involve them in our activities when possible. Our team of professionals is dedicated and always open to learning from each other, from each other and from the children themselves.
The activities are divided into projects, education and accompaniment.
Projects
Soccer school: La Naranja Mecánica, Recreation activity: CoCo, Music group: Sararé, Magazine: Entendámonos
Education
English, Reading, Computer
Accompaniment
Caminos al maximo,Leadership in my community, Study and work
