“We are guided by the conviction that together we interweave a better tomorrow”

To develop and implement innovative solutions to the social challenges in the regions, with a focus on comprehensive participation among communities, authorities, company, foundation, and other strategic partners.

To be the leading organization in innovation of social management and a reference for the hydrocarbons sector in the country, recognized as a catalyst for the sustainable development of the regions.

In synergy with Canacol's social team, Surtigas and local Community Action Committees (JAC), we implemented Stage 1 of our Natural Gas Massification project for seven communities in Sahagun. This project provides access to natural gas services and covers the municipality with the highest number of families in Canacol's area of influence.

For villages not yet connected to the distribution network, subsidized gas cylinders are supplied on an interim basis and for remote areas with difficult access high-efficiency, low-emission wood stoves are provided.

The positive impacts of this project are to:

• Improve the quality of life of the communities benefitted.
• Reduce deforestation
• Free-up time previously spent gathering and preparing firewood
• Minimize exposure to smoke and particulate emissions, particularly for the women and children typically performing wood-gathering and cooking tasks
• Reduce a significant health risk prioritized by regional health authorities

Approximately 3,605 people and 721 households benefitted during Stage I.

Through our academic program entitled Public Sector Budget Management and Project Development, we offered training to leaders, technicians, and professionals responsible for managing local community projects. 

The program is a collaboration between Universidad de Los Andes, the Entretejiendo Foundation, and technical support from the National Planning Department (DNP by its acronym in Spanish).

Three projects were selected to be presented to the Collegiate Body of Administration and Decision (OCAD by its acronym in Spanish).

50 leaders, technicians, and professionals trained, and three projects were chosen to be presented to OCAD¹.

1 Colombian institution in charge of approving the royal projects.

The Entretejiendo Foundation implemented Stage 2 of its Young Voice program (Viva la Voz Joven), which included providing seed capital and administrative support to the winners of the 2018 Entrepreneur Fair. The winning projects were:

• "Vivero Sembrando Futuro": creating flora and reforestation campaigns.

• "Piscisol": consolidating productive vocations within the region through farming and the sale of fish for human consumption.

• "Capi.net": promoting digital literacy by offering training for children and adults in basic computing concepts.

• "Crearte Sueños": promoting local art by showcasing painting, sculpture, and dancing on town streets.​​​​​​​

In 2018, we donated 610 bicycles to children lacking transport to school. This action was part of the Mi Bici program, designed by the World Bicycle Relief and in conjunction with the Postobón Foundation. 

In 2019, we followed up with the 13 schools selected for the program. During this process, we established a baseline and had the following improvements:

• A decrease in time taken to get to school and reduced absenteeism.
• Increased punctuality.
• Savings in transportation costs.
• Health improvements.
• Improvements to interpersonal relationships.
• Better grades.

The second component of this project will begin in the upcoming years and consists of developing local entrepreneurship to maintain the bikes.

Through the Bioblitz project, we offered community researchers the training to monitor, take pictures, and upload flora and fauna biodiversity data into a platform that is available to the world's best scientists. In 2019, 212 students and teachers, not to mention community researchers, were offered training. This led to the addition of 572 general observations in the international database, of which 198 were registered with a degree of observation.

Through the Creative Free Time program (Ocio Creativo), designed by the Rueda Rueda Foundation, we promote the design, development, and implementation of education projects. These projects encompass arts, sports, and cultural activities.

During 2019, the program officially became part of Colombia's Institutional Education Plans (PEI by its acronym in Spanish).

• 3 schools have incorporated this model into their Institutional Education Plans.
• 2 agreements with local governments to implement this process at schools within their towns.
• 6 art events and several sporting events to promote recycling.
• 50 people received training to teach the Creative Free Time model.
• Improved school facilities created by students and teachers trained through recycling workshops.

According to the World Health Organization, safe and readily available water is vital for public health, can boost countries' economic growth, and contribute significantly to poverty reduction. Through our Clean Water for All Project, we supply potable water to multiple schools, benefiting 2,200 children. We undertook pre- and post-chemical visual inspections of potability and microbiological testing at two schools to assess the impacts this project had on improving water quality. The visual inspections showed a 100% improvement, and the microbial results are still pending. 

In 2020, the project will focus on installing water refrigeration systems and water towers in five additional schools.

• 3 schools in Sahagún and La Unión.
• 2,200 children benefited in 2019.

Through the Pisotón model, created by Universidad del Norte, we trained teachers and caregivers to promote healthy emotional development on young children.

The program's focus in 2019 was to include parents in training and analyze the impacts on rural communities. 

Through this analysis, we identified significant improvements in the following areas:

• The development of social communication skills between children and their parents.
• The demonstration of interests, needs, and feelings by the children.
• Child autonomy: Understood as the taking of initiatives or the elaboration of responses from the child without an adult guide, such as that of their parents.

The Entretejiendo Foundation assisted in organizing medical and surgical brigades led by the Patrulla Aérea Colombiana. These volunteer groups provide healthcare to some of the most vulnerable communities in Colombia. Furthermore, in 2019, 13 wheelchairs were donated by the Knights of Malta for use by local residents with disabilities.

• 2,331 people were treated during medical campaigns in three different municipalities.
• 882 people were treated during surgical campaigns aimed at women, children, and the elderly.
• 60 cats and dogs received treatment during veterinary campaigns.

www.entretejiendo.org