RESUME
The “Heroes of Tomorrow” Indigenous Children’s Development Center is a pioneering initiative in the Colombian Amazon basin, aimed at strengthening the comprehensive development of 500 Ticuna indigenous children, focusing on ages between 5 and 18 years. This project, led by the Bosque Colombiana Foundation under the direction of Nadia Paola Rodriguez Mendoza, M.A., is proposed as a multifaceted response to the emerging challenges of climate change, gender inequality, and educational and nutritional gaps in the region.
With an estimated investment of $200,000 over a 5-year period, the center seeks to implement programs that encompass sustainable nutrition, environmental and cultural education, and psychosocial well-being. It is estimated that 60% of direct beneficiaries have malnutrition problems, while 70% face barriers in accessing quality education. The program is structured around three fundamental pillars: Nutrition and Health, Education and Culture, and Empowerment and Resilience.
The Nutrition and Health pillar will focus on improving nutritional status through food programs based on local and sustainable diets, complemented by nutrition workshops for families. In the area of Education and Culture, an intercultural and bilingual educational curriculum will be implemented, with emphasis on environmental knowledge and sustainable practices. Finally, the Empowerment and Resilience pillar will focus on the development of leadership skills and self-esteem, with special attention to gender equality and support for vulnerable groups.
This plan not only seeks to positively impact the lives of Ticuna children, but also the community as a whole, promoting sustainable and equitable development. The Colombian Forest Foundation hopes that this center will become a replicable model for other indigenous communities in Colombia and throughout the Amazon region.
