Leaving a Blue Print
Learn how TBH helps the communities of Katanzama
Smiles with a Future Foundation
The Sonrisas Con Futuro Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of communities, primarily their children. Since 2011, they have been working focusing on their education, nutrition and infrastructure, based on three lines of action: solidarity, happy childhood and social projects.
Its aim is to create better educational environments by implementing a comprehensive intervention model – with the support of strategic alliances between the private sector and social actors – where the school becomes the primary setting for promoting meaningful actions for children in vulnerable communities – located in rural areas – who have been victims of forced displacement or natural disasters.
One of its most important projects at present –and one in which we were fortunate to participate– is located in Katanzama, a community in Santa Marta, where Sonrisas Con Futuro has been present for several years. By doing its bit, the Foundation aims to improve the living conditions of all indigenous people –especially children– day by day, through the development of their own education, the construction of spaces and the provision of educational elements, thus guaranteeing the strengthening of both cultural and ancestral values.
Their mission was specifically to renovate the school in this community, where children had to stay as boarders due to the long distances they had to travel to get there. Before their intervention, the institution was in poor and cramped conditions, considering that it was here that the children received education, food and boarding services.
To make this project a reality, the following were needed: four wall fans, eight bunk beds, 16 mattresses, 16 pillows, 16 sets of sheets, 24 blankets and 24 hammocks, the latter being our contribution. As we are equally committed to the environment, these donated hammocks were made with 100% sustainable textiles, thanks to their production based on recycled polyester obtained from PET containers and recycled cotton from clothing scraps; in addition, they were also woven by single mothers, with a rational use of energy, water, and a low carbon footprint.
Finally, the Adaptation Project at the Tirumake-Katanzama Educational Center became a reality, thanks to the efforts and collaboration of its contributors, such as Loopzu, La Sierra Jewelry, Celeste & Piedra, Morano Gruppo, Healthy Nights, Energex, ICAP Charity Day, Home Center, and us, The Blue House; materializing this dream with the construction of new rooms, classrooms, kitchen and bathrooms that will be of great benefit to strengthen the academic process developed by the children of the Arhuaca ethnic group who study at this school.
“Eight years ago I had the privilege of arriving in Katanzama with an open heart and a willingness to learn about the Arhuaca worldview. Since then, we have built a relationship based on collaboration. Together with the Fundación Sonrisas Con Futuro and various allies, we have managed to guarantee quality spaces for boys and girls to access ethno-education and also safeguard their traditions and culture.” –Toya Montoya, one of the key players in this project, proudly expressed on her Instagram profile a few days ago. She is a lover and defender of Mother Earth, an ambassador and promoter of environmental conservation, a great promoter of charitable projects, and one of the founders of O2 Reserve.
This is how the works at the Tirumake – Katanzama Educational Center currently look, representing a new space for these Arhuaco children to have better conditions for their academic and comprehensive development.
