Boyaca Children's Rights: Keep 120 Kids in School

Children in mining areas are born in territories subjected to the plundering of natural resources. In the search for coal and emeralds, rivers and forests are polluted, soils are destroyed, and the environment is poisoned. This destruction does not go unpunished: local populations suffer illnesses from drinking contaminated water; the living conditions of mining families are appalling. Children are raised in violent, authoritarian environments, where fear and silence are constant companions of childhood.

During this period, we have focused on instilling in children an interest in and love for protecting nature, making them realize that by destroying it ourselves, we are condemning ourselves to extinction as a species. We have implemented small-scale agricultural practices, waste recycling, and water source cleanup projects.

RURAL CHILDREN BOYACA LEARN TO BE FRIENDS ENVIRONMENT

During this project period, we have insisted that these children from families who make their living from coal mining learn to be grateful for the nature around them. With this gratitude, which is realized in caring for forests, water, soil, wildlife, and local communities, children demonstrate love for life and for our common home, the earth.

We have carried out small ecological exercises, such as encouraging children to give their classmates sunflower seeds to plant in their school and home gardens. These seeds also represent the forgiveness they give each other for having engaged in offensive behavior, mistreatment, and bullying against their classmates. We promote all of this under a motto that we find very meaningful: Let us look at others with the eyes of the heart.