Fight plastic pollution in the bay of Cartagena

DEAR GLOBALGIVING COMMUNITY,

 As we welcome 2026, we want to express our deepest gratitude to every donor who believed in our vision and supported the Punta Arena Resiliente project through GlobalGiving. Your collective generosity has enabled transformations that have fundamentally changed an entire Caribbean community.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Punta Arena Resiliente project aimed to empower the women of Punta Arena, Tierrabomba Island, while addressing environmental challenges and creating sustainable economic opportunities. Thanks to your support, we have achieved remarkable results that exceed our original goals. 

SIX MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS - YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION

1. WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT: FROM OBSERVERS TO TERRITORY CURATORS

Your donations directly supported the transformation of 21 women from Punta Arena who evolved from passive tourism recipients into confident experts who curate, interpret, and showcase their ecosystem with scientific and cultural authority. They now lead their own territorial narrative, mastering knowledge of every species in the tropical dry forest and mangrove ecosystems. Additionally, 20 young men joined the project to expand route possibilities through mountain biking and kayaking activities.

2. THE NETWORK OF DREAMS: A NATIONAL SYMBOL OF HOPE

Your support made possible the creation of the Red de Sueños (Network of Dreams) - an 18x5-meter textile installation collaboratively woven by more than 130 women across Colombia, including 10 local weavers, with 1,650 individual grannies. This unprecedented cultural achievement became a tangible symbol of national sisterhood, connecting the dreams of Caribbean women with women from Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Many thanks to you, to Entrelanas and especially to Elena Galofre, who spearheaded this textile artistic intervention!

3. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY TOURISM ROUTE

With your funding, that of HelpAlliance and an alliance with the Secretary of Tourism and the Cartagena Mayor’s office, we successfully launched an innovative tourism model that combines adventure, culture, science, and community under local women's leadership. The route integrates kayaking through mangroves, interpretive mountain biking, textile artistic experiences, and environmental education, guaranteeing direct income flow to local families and creating a truly sustainable community economy.

4. MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFORMATION

Your contributions enabled us to remove over 13,000 kilograms of waste from the island ecosystem through innovative methodologies like "El Cambiazo" and educational cleanups. Fundacion Bahia in alliance with Ambientados converted 1,907 kg of recyclable materials into useful products for families - clothes, school supplies, food, and household items - while establishing replicable community cleanup protocols.

5. SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC LEGACY: THE FLORA BOOK PROJECT

Your donations supported the creation of the comprehensive Book of Flora of Punta Arena through workshops conducted by biologists with women and children of the community. This project represents serious scientific knowledge transfer that builds lasting community capacity, transforming the territory into both a living laboratory and exhibition space where biodiversity becomes shared educational heritage. Many thanks to our artists - watercolour student volunteers from Bellas Artes with teacher Teresa Perdomo, who have done illustrations for our upcoming Flora book! 

6. STRATEGIC ALLIANCE NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Your initial support helped us build a solid network of 29 strategic alliances spanning government organizations, international entities, private companies, universities, and environmental organizations. This network ensures the project's long-term sustainability and creates a replicable model for community-led development.

BY THE NUMBERS - YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK

21 women eco-guides trained and empowered 

20 young men integrated into the local eco guide program 

130+ women participated nationally in textile project 

1,650 grannies woven into Network of Dreams 

13+ tons of waste removed from ecosystem 

1,907 kg of materials recycled into useful products 

29 strategic alliances established for sustainability 

1 comprehensive flora book created for future generations 

COMMUNITY VOICES - THE HUMAN IMPACT**

"We are no longer just observers of our territory. Now we are the experts who share its stories."

— Valentina, Eco-guide from Punta Arena

"When I touch a thread in the Network of Dreams, I feel connected to women across all of Colombia."

— Enith, Local weaver, Punta Arena

LOOKING FORWARD - EXPANDING THE MODEL

What moves us most deeply is witnessing the smiles of children receiving educational materials through our exchange programs, seeing the pride in women's faces as they share their territorial knowledge, and observing how Punta Arena has transformed into a living example of what communities can achieve with genuine support.

Your commitment has made real our vision of a resilient, prosperous, and environmentally regenerated Punta Arena. As we step into 2026, we carry the profound impact of your generosity and the inspiration to expand this model to other Caribbean communities.

SUSTAINABILITY AND NEXT STEPS

Thanks to the foundation you helped us build, the project now operates with:

- Diversified funding sources ensuring long-term sustainability

- Community-owned tourism operations generating local income

- Educational programs continuing scientific knowledge transfer

- Environmental protocols maintaining ecosystem health

PHOTO GALLERY - SEE YOUR IMPACT

We invite you to view selected photos showing your donations at work: 

[Photo Gallery Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bBhMpBhAAvIaM05dp2-LCZGdHzSSBiWH?usp=drive_link]

OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE

To every GlobalGiving donor who contributed $5, $50, or $500 - you are part of this transformation. Your belief in community-led development has woven dreams into reality for the women and families of Punta Arena.

We hope to welcome you to visit Punta Arena in the Tierra Bomba Island soon to see firsthand the incredible impact of your generosity!

With heartfelt gratitude and warmest wishes for 2026,

Diana de la Vega and the entire team

Fundación Bahía y Ecosistemas de Colombia

www.fundacionbahia.ngo

"When dreams are woven together, they become reality."

— The Women of Punta Arena

ABOUT FUNDACIÓN BAHÍA Y ECOSISTEMAS DE COLOMBIA

Since 2014, we have worked hand-in-hand with Caribbean communities to conserve marine ecosystems while empowering local populations through education, art, and sustainable economic development.