Ciénaga, July 12, 2024
• The inter-agency initiative had an investment of approximately 600 million pesos.
• The project will impact the lives of 683 students, 100 parents and around 20 teachers in the region.
As a result of a joint effort to promote sustainable development and improve educational conditions in the region, the Banasan Foundation, in partnership with Drummond Ltd. and the Corporagros and Vitalban banana corporations, completed the construction and remodeling project at the Guillermo Álvarez Rural Departmental Ethno-Educational Institution, located at kilometer 70 of Guamachito, Banana Zone, in Magdalena.
The project, which required an investment of about 600 million pesos, included the construction of a school canteen, a kitchen with a storage room, the front enclosure of the institution, and the adaptation of existing bathrooms, with new cobblestones and templates. In addition, a complete retrofit of the land was undertaken to provide safe and functional facilities. This initiative will benefit 683 students, 100 parents and around 20 teachers, significantly improving their educational environment.
At present, Guamachito has an approximate population of 1,831 inhabitants with 350 households, where collective leisure spaces such as those offered by the Guillermo Álvarez IED school take a relevant place in the integral development of the community.
“From our social responsibility and relationship with communities we seek to ensure that the projects we deliver are integral. On this occasion, coordinated work was done with the Guillermo Álvarez Rural Departmental Ethno-Educational Institution of Guamachito and other actors, with the aim of providing an infrastructure conducive to its development. Without a doubt, by improving their student status, the quality of life of these young people is improved and they are motivated to take care of their environment,” said Álvaro Daza, Senior Supervisor of Communities at Drummond Ltd.
Parallel to physical improvements, a psychosocial strategy was implemented to promote sustainable development through empowerment and the creation of healthy student environments in the institution. The activities carried out in this area included the holding of workshops on community management, participation, leadership and teamwork, in which students and parents participated actively in the identification and prioritization of the main problems of FDI Guillermo Álvarez.
Regarding the thematic repertoire of these meetings, the importance of environmental management was highlighted, promoting the awareness and commitment of students in the care of the environment; the conception of healthy lifestyles and environments, promoting physical activity and healthy coexistence; and the creation of school life projects.
“The psychosocial intervention plan fulfilled its main objective, which was to strengthen the sense of belonging and commitment to the school. In addition, teamwork and the importance of community decision-making were promoted, providing spaces for the development of social and emotional skills,” said Yamile Rodríguez Akle, executive director of the Banasan Foundation.
The Banasan Foundation, Drummond Ltd., Corporación Vitalban and Corporagros extend the invitation for different actors in the region to continue participating in such projects that favor the integral development of adolescents and empower the educational community.