The Barefoot Foundation

Date: February 13, 2011

To: 1311 students

From: Andrea Acosta

RE: The Barefoot Foundation

Violence and poverty is seen almost everywhere these days.  Young life’s have been disrupted by the lack of malnutrition; keeping these children away from their dreams.  Education has become a vital component to boys and girls living especially in regions of Columbia, but the lack of funding has prohibited them to excel in learning. Boys and girls have been victimized by poverty and displacement; empty stomachs and living in broken homes have made these children hold on to piles of books that will soon help them grow emotionally and socially in the world that they are exposed to.  Columbia is one of the three countries that have almost four million people displaced since 1985; while approximately having 3,000 civilians die every year in the civil conflict. It has been an ongoing battle to end poverty and malnutrition around the world, sacrificing young lives that have suffered from this cruel reality.

 The Barefoot Foundation has taken action over this situation and has strived to make a difference in the lives of young boys and girls. The Barefoot Foundation, also known as “Pies Descalzos”, was initiated by a former artist known as Shakira;  native of Baranquilla, Columbia and living in these streets herself promised to make a better future for the children living in these regions. The organization has devoted and worked to ensure that every child can exercise his or her right to a quality education, while at the same time giving nutritious meals to more than five thousand children. Their vision has been to “demonstrate a sustainable, replicable education model which provides quality education to Columbia’s most vulnerable people, thereby unlocking their intellectual, emotional and social potential.” The Barefoot Foundation currently supports six schools in the diverse Columbian regions of Baranquilla, Altos de Cazucá and Quibdó. More than five thousand children have received education and psychological support services ultimately benefiting 30,000 vulnerable children and families that have been affected by the population displacement.

                                                                                                                                              Although the foundation has been a success, there are still a lot of more teenagers outside these regions that make the decision to work in order to support their families; which is why the Barefoot Foundation offers income generating programs for parents so they don’t have to send their kids to work. Being a non-profit organization, they invite us to become donors so that way we continue the dreams of families and children across Columbia. Once a donor you can sign up for email newsletters that contain important upcoming projects, volunteer services and recommended organizations that you can partner with. The Barefoot Foundation gladly accepts donations from anyone around the world while also having the opportunity to sponsor a child struggling in Columbia. Anyone can become involved in this organization by visiting the given website and clicking on links provided for anyone who might be interested in joining the family.

                                                                                                                                                             The communication between the Barefoot Foundation and the community is really easy and straightforward. Shakira, founder of this great organization has made an impact that has brought peace into many lives; while at the same time being a role model. “Education is the key to a better world for everyone, not just underprivileged children. Education is not just books and facts; it is also social and emotional growth. The Barefoot Foundation is helping transform Columbia into a peaceful society that is committed to its most vulnerable citizens. Join Shakira in creating a more peaceful and brighter future for children and for Columbia.

Building Peace

Building peace one school at a time. Greg Mortison,cofounder and executive director of Central Asia Institute changed the process of education in regions of Pakinstan and Afghanistan. Statistics that showed that poverty, gender descrimination and tradition were lacks of  getting a good education; soon began to change. Thanks to a man who was determined to make a change in these childrens life by building a school for them and giving them all the necessary materials and resources to further their education. It is said that if a girl is educated to at least the 5th grade this does three important things: reduce infant mortality, reduce the population explotion and improve the basic quality of healthcare and life itself. Greg Mortinson is creating a dream for these girls that was far from being seen due to their economic status. Education is everything to these girls, which is a great way to keep them civilized and aware of the important news and impacts that the world experience everyday. This advantage will give them more information  that will keep them away from living in ignorance and make a difference in the world just how Mortinson did. It is incredible how perspectives of education shift from parts of the world; meaning that while these girls live a rather hard life where there may or may not be foodor water on the table everyday they still are determined to further an education that will help them in the future, while in some parts of the world education is taken for granted and sometimes ignored. I admire these girls for being determined to build a better future for them and their family. And just how Greg Mortinson said, " the best way to bring about hope and peace is through education."

What is peace?

Peace begins with a smile. There are many definitions of what peace is, feels or looks like according to peoples' beliefs around the world. But one thing for for sure is that peace equals to hapiness. Peace can be given to a person who needs it, for example giving a helping hand to someone who may need it. 
Peace should be active in everyones' home, having a harmonious mind and environment about life and not letting the violence that occur in the world, cross the door of your home. However, the clashing of perspectives of what peace feels like can go on forever. For example, violence is everywhere in today's world, and the people that create this violence can swear that these acts make them happy in their own little way.. Which may sound crazy but it may be true. Since i cant think if anything that makes them sin in the first place. It may sometimes be that they havent found peace anywhere else or simply because they dont have the love and care of their closed ones, which can be very sad and unfortunate. Peace should be something that we strive to find everyday in search of a better future full of happiness and serenity.