By Luz Narvaez and Cap Lee

(Published in the February 2014 issue of Annuntiatus)

FUNPROSEFAM is an inclusive school and community center designed to teach the whole child as an individual. Reaching into the community for the past 30 years to provide education as well as social services to children, youth, adults and seniors, the foundation prepares them for the world through a realistic hands-on approach which includes the understanding of English as a second language. Funprosefam serves the impoverished community on the south west side of Barranquilla, Colombia, in South America. Only 10% of the parents can afford to pay a small fee, thus 90% pay nothing at all. The fully certified teachers who also live in this poor neighborhood are most dedicated to serve the neighbor’s children for no salary.

The mission of Funprosefam is “prosperity, education and family”…with family being the fundamental institution of society. The goal is to expand the school/community center to serve 120 students which would include 30 special needs students, most of whom have never been to a school. There are limited teaching training opportunities in this country, but the local Universidad del Atlántico is interested in teaming up to promote services and education for those who have shown a willingness and interest to become teachers. Via the outreach program many community center attendees are able to access services that they need.