Classrooms in Belalcazar, Colombia

Context

The current elementary school building in Belalcazar does not have enough space for lessons. Some parts of the school, such as the toilets, are built from simple materials such as wood and sheet metal, and they do not meet building standards. The Nasa indigenous community are made up of an estimated 243,000 people, representing 21% of the country’s total indigenous population. They are an agricultural people with a mainly self-sufficient economy characterized by small-scale farming. In terms of education, the Nasa community currently has ethnic education and bilingual education programs that consolidate a distinct educational model that emphasizes cultural values and the exercise of autonomy.

Solution

We have begun building 4 classrooms and toilets, as well as ensure the provision of furniture to strengthen the educational processes and cultural reinforcement, with the aim that the student community and the community in general of the sector can have healthy, comfortable and adequate spaces for the teaching and learning processes of children and adolescents.

It is important to emphasize that this space will serve both the educational community of the Mesa de Belalcázar Primary School and the entire community that is part of the Vitoncó indigenous reserve. In this way, it will become a point of reference for the entire community, aimed at promoting access to new learning opportunities and the sharing of knowledge.