By Felipe Velasco | Project Leader
Project Update: Each School, A Bird to Care For
Dear donors and supporters,
We’re thrilled to share how our SueTy project is taking flight in new and exciting ways!
Between July and December 2025, Fundación Montecito is bringing the “Each School, A Bird to Care For” initiative to life in five rural schools around Lake Tota – Colombia’s largest high Andean wetland. In partnership with Asociación Ixobrychus and local allies, this new chapter is all about connecting children with nature through art, storytelling, and hands-on learning.
Who's Involved?
Children ages 7–12 from:
- Escuela de Guáquira
- Escuela de Donsiquira
- Escuela de Tota (cabecera)
- Escuela de Macías
- Escuela de Llano de Alarcón
Each school chooses one native bird species to explore and protect — including the Apolinar’s Wren, a beautiful and endangered bird found only in Colombia.
What Will They Do?
Over five fun and creative sessions, each group will:
1. Hear their bird’s story through Kamishibai (Japanese-style storytelling).
2. Explore its habitat with binoculars and cameras.
3. Illustrate the bird in a special workshop with artist Juanita Arango at the Xieti Nature Reserve.
4. Design a mural together at their school.
5. Paint the final mural as a community artwork.
The experience ends with a mural contest – the Premio Múcura 2025 – with the top schools celebrated at the El Muyso Festival, a joyful celebration of art and conservation.
Why This Matters
Lake Tota is a vital but fragile ecosystem, home to over 170 bird species. Sadly, pollution and unsustainable practices threaten many of them. By working with children, we’re planting seeds of awareness, creativity, and stewardship that ripple out into families and communities.
One teacher told us:
“This project awakens curiosity. The children take the message home — they become little ambassadors for nature.”
Let’s Keep SueTy Flying
Thanks to your support, SueTy continues to grow — sparking imagination and love for nature in the hearts of young learners. With your continued help, we can inspire more children, protect more birds, and build stronger, more caring communities.
Stay connected with us at:
www.suety.abctota.org
suety@abctota.org
#SueTy #FundaciónMontecito #ABCtota #PremioMúcura #ElMuyso2025
Thank you for being part of this beautiful journey!
With gratitude,
Felipe Velasco
The Fundación Montecito Team
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