School Project Paya

Learn more about our work with children and teachers

Finally, the time had come: Together with our partners from ABC Colombia, we set off for Paya, a simple place far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, nestled in the breathtaking nature of Colombia. After a three-hour drive from Yopal, the nearest city, we arrived at our destination, full of anticipation to meet the children and communities in person.

During our three-and-a-half-day stay, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves deeper into the daily life and community culture of the locals and experience their warm hospitality.

We visited the schools in La Union and Milagros and engaged in conversations with teachers, children, and families to gain deeper insights into the education system and understand what resources and support are needed to improve teaching.

A special highlight of our visit was meeting Linda in person, who had signed up for our volunteer program through Workaway. Linda spent a full three months in Paya supporting local teachers and expanding educational opportunities for the children. If you want to learn more about our volunteer program and Linda’s experiences, click here.

School Life in Paya

Due to limited resources such as staff and facilities, children aged 5 to 17 are taught together in a single class. In addition to core subjects like mathematics and Spanish, a strong emphasis is placed on environmental education. Students receive lessons in ecology and sustainability, which is especially important in a community so closely connected to nature. It is essential that children learn early on to appreciate and preserve natural resources. We were particularly impressed by how the school focuses on such relevant topics and actively contributes to environmental protection.

During our school visits, we read with the children, discussed their favorite subjects, and even learned a bit of English together. The children’s openness and enthusiasm as they guided us through their classrooms and gave us insights into their daily school life were truly touching. During recess, we played football together – a great joy for everyone involved! Additionally, we had the chance to plant trees with the students, which we had donated to the schools. Soon, the children will be able to harvest fruits such as mangoes, avocados, oranges, and lemons from these trees.

A Special Yoga Session in Nature

Another highlight of our stay was a joint yoga session, which Julia had carefully and passionately organized in the days leading up to it. The children were very open to the idea and had been looking forward to the yoga session in the middle of nature. It was a truly special experience!
Although they were a bit restless at first, the children quickly settled into the session and were able to relax. The positive feedback and the visible joy of the children in discovering a new form of movement and relaxation were overwhelming.

We were also delighted to get to know Lorena better. She is a speech therapist whom we were able to hire for the schools thanks to the support of ABC Colombia. Weeks before our visit, Lorena had conducted assessments with the children and identified that some of them were struggling with reading and pronunciation. She then started conducting regular speech and reading exercises with them to improve their speaking skills through speech therapy interventions.

In addition, Lorena leads exercises to enhance attention and concentration. Her work is truly an asset to the children! Given the long and arduous journey to Paya, Lorena has also trained older students to help the younger ones with their exercises. This not only supports the younger children’s language development but also imparts valuable teaching skills to the older students. The costs for Lorena’s valuable work are fully covered by our organization.

Working Together for Positive Change

Our trip to Paya was a wonderful and unforgettable experience! We are grateful for the opportunity to meet the families, teachers, and children in person. The visit was also very insightful for us, allowing us to develop a deeper understanding of the situation and needs of the children and schools.

Thanks to our stay, we were able to gain a clear picture of what the children and schools truly need to improve education and bring joy to the students. In the near future, we will be sending donations such as books, chalk, atlases, world maps, toothbrush sets, soccer balls, and other toys and teaching materials to the schools.

A special thank you goes to ABC Colombia, who not only helped us purchase the trees for the schools but also organized our transportation and accommodation. We hope to return to Paya soon to continue making positive changes together.