Help Wiwa tribe in Colombia get an education

Casa Wiwa (House of Wiwa)

The project aims to give Wiwa tribe's children in Columbia an access to get a secondary education by providing them a House of Support.

Being cut from the civilization, the tribe struggles with entrenched traditions like polygamy and early marriages, with limited educational access. The only school located in the region is 1 day travel away, which does not allow Wiwa children develop and learn about another way of leaving this live. Establishing a House of Support near the school could support in educating 20 children, offering a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow.

Background

Long isolation

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta hosts four indigenous tribes – Aruaco, Kankuamo, Kogi, and Wiwa – remnants of the pre-Spanish Tairona civilization. Early contact with the Spanish in the 16th century witnessed their advanced sustainable practices: crop rotation, terraced drainage systems, and exceptional craftsmanship. However, driven high into the mountains by conquest, they retreated to preserve their culture, while lowlands were settled by farmers.

The region's development escalated in the late 19th-20th centuries, becoming a hub for banana, coffee, oil palm plantations, and later, illegal drug cultivation. This transition brought violence from Colombia's civil war, ensnaring the indigenous in conflict, leading to isolation and stagnation in their knowledge and progress. Basic essentials like medicine, agriculture, and literacy are scarce.

UNESCO protects their ancestral wisdom, but these communities urgently need support to rebuild their lost heritage and access fundamental resources for survival and development.

How it all started?

Back in winter 2022 co-founders of the project were travelling around Columbia and exploring its cultural heritage, when they met Elisaut Maestre Rodriguez, a Kankuamo leader, who initiated a transformative project in Sierra Nevada. His own escape from tribal life led to studying literacy, starting with the Bible, which became a guide for community living.

The tribe faces deeply rooted traditions: polygamy, early marriages, and limited education access. While UNESCO established a school to learn some basics, it only serves children until age 9-10. Moreover, the school is located very far from the village, requiring a day's travel.

Elisaut and his wife host and educate children in their house but lack resources, educating just 1-2 children yearly. Their self-organized school is run by the first generation educated by Elisaut. Building a Support House can help educate at least 20 children, providing hope for a brighter future.

Main idea

The House of Support aims to address immediate needs like shelter, meals, and additional education for 20 students aged 10 to 18, integrating their cultural customs. It will facilitate secondary education at San Isidro Labrador school, aiding adaptation issues. Students will come to the House of support on Sunday evening and stay there the whole working week, until they can go back home to spend weekend with their families.

Starting spring 2024 we have accommodated 10 children who are currently living in the House and attending classes in the school. 

The goal of the House of Support is to provide a safe, culturally aligned environment promoting interaction, mutual support, and holistic development. Additionally, it brings a mission of instilling values, including biblical principles, and educating about preventing child sexual abuse through support by professional psychologist volunteers from partnering charitable organization.

Team

Hoan and Carmen Bel: Spanish missionaries from "Asamblea de Dios" in Spain. With 22 years of service, they've focused on aiding at-risk children, founding "Nuevos Pasos" (New Steps) association spanning Peru, Bolivia, Spain, and Colombia.

Elena Sulina: Co-founder, psychotherapist, and global traveler, with a vision to redefine societal norms and encourage diverse perspectives.

Ruma Motrenko: Co-founder, entrepreneur, and civil society activist, conducting motivational sessions and art therapy, advocating for abused Latin American children.

Maryna Bohuslavska: Project manager, volunteer and civil society activist, with vast experience in youth work, organizing international projects for young people on such topics as human rights, active citizenship and self-development.

Finance

The project was kicked off in April 2024. Using team's own funds, we secured the lease of the house, made the renovation and managed to get basic furniture and equipment to have the space ready for use by 10 kids. However, to continue running the project, we need to collect 2000 EUR (rent, utilities, meals, personnel salaries) per month to continue running the project past October 2024. Later, the goal is to increase the number of kids participating in the project to 20 people, which will lead us to 3500 EUR monthly expenses or 175 EUR/month to support 1 child

Timeline

Start of the school year was January 17th 2024. The House of Support rent started on April 1st, so children moved there mid of April.

Project team is in close contact with the local coordinator, who manages the House of Support. However, the team is aiming on traveling to Columbia in winter 202 with the main aim to monitor the process and make sure money is spend on purpose. Moreover, we are going to create the video about life of the tribe there and use it further to attract more investors into the project.

Support this impactful cause! Your donations empower these dedicated individuals to provide education, shelter, and vital resources for the children of the Viva tribe in Colombia. Every contribution, regardless of size, aids in transforming these young lives, offering hope, education, and a brighter future.

Join us in creating lasting change and donate today to be part of this remarkable journey!