Inequality and acts of direct violence present in much of Colombia increase in territories with fewer economic resources. In these places, children are constantly exposed to scenes of violence, micro-trafficking and other activities that put them at risk. For 10 years, TECHO Colombia's peace education program has worked with approximately 260 children and adolescents a year, who live in poverty, providing analytical skills so that they can discern and make decisions about their reality.
There are more than 2,000 children and youth living in poverty in Colombia's peripheral communities. Education for Peace is a part of TECHO Colombia's community work model that actively works to educate and empower these children to overcome poverty not only through economic means but through knowledge and leadership.
Children living in poverty in informal settlements are exposed to inequality and direct violence. Moreover, in these territories they are exposed to different actors that may violate their rights from different fronts and have taught them to remain silent or respond violently. This is why the education for peace program responds by providing children living in poverty with tools for conflict resolution, leadership, identity and articulates them with Colombian guarantor institutions.
The values and skills learned through this project will help educate children and youth to become agents of change in their own communities. This project aims to guide the 260 children in the communities surrounding Bogota out of poverty through learning processes based on the principles of responsibility, autonomy, freedom, respect and love, while inspiring them to take an active leadership role in the development of their community.
