That year, a programme called Centro Aprende arrived at their school. The programme, created through a partnership between Colombia’s Fundacion Pies Descalzos and Education Above All’s Educate A Child Programme, aims to provide opportunities to elementary students from marginalized communities who are at risk of dropping out of primary school. Children who participate in the programme are often living in poor communities, destabilized by violence and economic hardship, which only increased during the pandemic.
Keyner and Julian met when they were in 5th grade at their school, Luis Carlos Galan, in the northern Colombian city of Barranquilla. At 15 years old, they were repeating the 5th grade due to poor academic performance and were ask risk of dropping out.
Keyner had fallen behind in language and math, and Julian’s troubles with learning were compounded by his behaviour and disciplinary problems.
While boys developed a friendship, the teachers continued to worry about them staying in school.
While the programme helped Keyner’s grades, Julian continued to struggle.
While the programme helped Keyner’s grades, Julian continued to struggle.
Looking to keep students engaged, workers from Fundacion Pies Descalzos designed their programmes around play-based activities and sports to encourage improved learning and social skills. Football was incorporated into the programme to teach the students values like teamwork respect, empathy and self-esteem while learning math or language.
But the teachers noticed the boys were motivated by playing and were very good at football.
Wilmer Salas, a worker from Fundacion Pies Descalzos, devised a plan to create bigger incentives for the boys. Salas worked with his football club Soledad Atlantico to sponsor a scholarship within the Centro Aprende programme to further encourage them to study while playing football.
Within weeks, teachers and foundation workers saw positive changes in the boys.
Within weeks, teachers and foundation workers saw positive changes in the boys.
“When I first met them, I knew both had problems in learning but were great at performing in sports,” Salas said. “ So I talked with them and agreed to give them scholarships if they improved their grades. The process was amazing. In just a few weeks, all of the teachers and my colleagues saw how the students improved their grades. Their good performance continues to this day.”
Both boys passed 5th grade and have settled into Junior High. While they have left Centro Aprende, they continue to improve their grades and be motivated by football through their scholarships.
Wilmer said not only did it help them academically, but Julian was able to better deal with his anger and that “he is now more attentive and willing to participate and learn.”
Julian continues to play football through a scholarship in the local league of Soledad, Renacer while Keyner is playing through a scholarship in Atlantico’s junior professional football cub.
The story of Julian and Keyner shows how sports can be a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote personal and academic development. It is particularly helpful in engaging and empowering youth in marginalized communities. The success of the boys has led to an expansion of the strategy for Central Learning to keep children in school across Barranquilla.
