The Afrodescendent community from La Boquilla has lived in extreme poverty over generations due to structural racism, slavery and inequality. They really want a better life, but struggle with how to do so in a city with so much unemployment. English is our bestbet, because in Cartagena international tourism is growing and there is a lack of local people who speak English. Through our program they will receive 200hrs of English lessons over 1yr, which will help them to communicate and find a job.
After losing self-esteem and motivation our Afrodescendent community from La Boquilla feels there are no opportunities for them. They live in extreme poverty (90% with no formal job), lack of education (60% of them haven't finished school) and kids suffer hunger and violence and growing up with poor values that only contributes to the cycle. They become parents at early age and have kids to feed and no job and no income. They feel frustrated and depressed, and have no one to offer them hope.
There is no way they would get a job without an education. That's why we created this program -to teach them English, and values, to motivate them to move forward with their lives. We teach them to respect themselves and each other and improve their self-esteem. these are not just English lessons, we bring them the joy they need to believe in themselves and to believe that a better future is about to come if they work for it.
With our English program, we will teach not only English but also values and motivation to 15 adults and 25 kids and adolescents. We are also working with the adults to help them find a job with local hotels and restaurants or being part of one of our enterperneurship programs like the organical gardening. We are working with the kids not only with english but also making them realize the importance of respecting each other and themselves, not bullying and refraining from violence.
