Education in Colombia's coffee region
Over the last decade, poverty levels in Colombia's coffee-producing region also have risen sharply. The town in which COTA's partner project is located, Chinchiná, is based in the heart of the region, and has suffered the effects of widespread unemployment and poverty. For those with limited education and skills, much of the work available is casual unskilled and seasonal labour: such as working on coffee-plantations, or selling on the streets.
This lack of opportunities and the strain it places on families has had a profound impact on the lives of children and young people in the region. There is a high reported incidence of domestic abuse among local families. Families also encourage children to drop out of school to help contribute to the family income. Unemployment and scarcity have also opened doors for the proliferation of drug-trafficking networks, fuelling violent clashes between rival neighbourhood gangs, mainly made up of children and young people. However, without the support they need to create a different future for themselves, the prospects for children and young people in Chinchiná are bleak.
Our partner Asociación Mundos Hermanos (AMH), runs a community project which responds to the lack of opportunities for children and young people in Chinchiná. It provides education and vocational training to children from poor families, who are vulnerable to risk factors including domestic abuse or neglect, disability, street living, gang membership, and sexual exploitation.
The project gives children the emotional and practical support they need to return to school and build a better future for themselves. For young children, It works closely with local schools to enrol children and provides additional ongoing support. The project also offers family support and counselling to address negative attitudes towards education and help parents tackle the issues affecting their children's development.
The vocational programme focuses on two main skills areas: bakery and carpentry, and all children are taught basic IT skills. Older children are encouraged to specialise and focus on setting up small businesses in these areas. They attend courses in areas such as accountancy and food hygiene, carry out visits to flour mills and carpentry trade fairs, and have begun to make a profit in the small businesses they run.
