Program

Program Description

Young people in Cazucá are strong, capable, and motivated. They have greatness within; however, they face significant structural and social barriers that prevent this potential from being fully realized.

i58 Movement aims to remove these obstacles by delivering a holistic model of support through five integrated program areas:

1. Educational Support Program
We provide after-school tutoring, homework assistance, school advocacy, and literacy development to help children improve academic performance and remain engaged in school.

2. Nutrition Program
Children receive regular meals and snacks, addressing food insecurity and supporting physical and cognitive development.

3. Sports and Recreation
Structured sports programs create safe spaces for children, promoting discipline, teamwork, and emotional wellbeing.

4. Mentorship and Community Development
Through consistent relationships with mentors and community engagement activities, children develop a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose.

5. Celebrations
i58 celebrates special dates and occasions throughout the year that focus on instilling a strong sense of belonging, worth and value in each of our young people.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Improve educational outcomes for children in Cazucá
Objectives:
• Provide weekly tutoring to 60+ children
• Improve literacy and academic performance
• Increase school retention rates

Goal 2: Strengthen child wellbeing and safety
Objectives:
• Provide consistent access to safe spaces
• Deliver structured sports and mentoring programs
• Reduce exposure to high-risk environments

Goal 3: Address food insecurity among participating children
Objectives:
• Provide regular nutritious meals
• Improve physical wellbeing and concentration in school

Goal 4: Pathways to further study and employability
Objectives:
• Provide access to training, vocational, and further study opportunities
• Support youth to transition into education, training, or employment pathways
• Develop essential workplace and life skills
• Create connections to employment through partnerships and job readiness support

2017: Foundation and Early Engagement

• Delivered activities and workshops to over 200 children, three times per week
• Provided regular meals and hosted community celebrations for participating children
• Organized excursions to theme parks, cinemas, and recreational spaces, expanding children’s exposure beyond their immediate environment
• Delivered English classes twice per week to all participating children

2018 – 2020: Strengthening Core Support Systems

• Established structured academic support programs to improve educational outcomes
• Expanded nutrition support to address food insecurity
• Facilitated periodic health checks through partnerships with medical professionals

2020 – 2023: Crisis Response and Continuity During the Pandemic

• Delivered food and hygiene support to hundreds of vulnerable families across Bogotá
• Maintained a structured, specialized learning program throughout COVID-19 lockdowns
• Operated as one of the only consistent educational support spaces available to children during this period
• Continued provision of meals, educational support, and wellbeing activities despite significant external challenges

2023 – Present: Expansion and Community Development

• Launched preschool programs for children not currently accessing formal education
• Conducted workshops for parents and caregivers to strengthen family support systems
• Partnered with external organizations to deliver workshops in employability, legal advocacy, and essential life skills
• Providing daily access to programs for approximately 60 children

Results Snapshot

Since its inception, i58 Movement has achieved:

• 60+ children supported daily through structured programming
• 200+ children engaged in early program stages (2017)
• Hundreds of families supported through food, hygiene, and emergency assistance
• Continuous program delivery during COVID-19, maintaining 100% operational presence
• Multiple students transitioning from high-risk environments into sustained education pathways
• Ongoing family engagement resulting in increased stability and access to opportunities
• A number of children who entered the program at ages 5–6 have progressed through their education and successfully graduated from high school
• Several graduates have transitioned into employment or income-generating opportunities, supported by long-term program engagement and community networks

Contextual Comparison

Children growing up in contexts of poverty, displacement, and exposure to violence face significant barriers to completing their education and accessing employment opportunities.

In Colombia, particularly in vulnerable communities, school dropout rates can exceed 60%, and many young people do not progress beyond basic education. Additionally, a significant proportion of youth do not transition into further study or stable employment, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

Against this context, the outcomes observed through i58 Movement’s programs are significant.

A number of children who entered the program at ages 5–6 have progressed through their education and successfully graduated from high school, with some transitioning into employment or income-generating opportunities.

These outcomes reflect not only improved educational engagement, but a meaningful shift in long-term life trajectories for children growing up in high-risk environments.

Education and Stability – Johan

Johan entered the program facing significant challenges, including irregular school attendance, low academic performance, and limited engagement in structured activities. He was at risk of disengaging from school and spending increasing time in high-risk environments within the community.

Through consistent participation in i58 Movement’s programs over a sustained period, clear improvements were observed:

• School attendance increased from inconsistent participation to regular daily attendance
• Academic performance improved, particularly in literacy and core subjects
• Program participation increased to consistent engagement (4–5 times per week)
• Behavioural challenges decreased, with improved relationships with peers and staff

As a result, Johan remained in school and progressed through his education, demonstrating increased confidence, stability, and engagement in learning.

His development reflects the role of consistent structure, mentorship, and safe environments in reducing exposure to high-risk contexts and supporting long-term educational outcomes.

This experience reflects patterns observed across children who engage consistently in the program.

Family Stability and Opportunity – María José

María José and her family became engaged with i58 Movement while facing significant economic instability, limited access to employment, and inconsistent support for their children’s education. The household faced ongoing challenges that affected both the wellbeing of the children and their ability to remain engaged in school.

Through sustained engagement with the program, measurable improvements were observed:

• Children maintained consistent participation in education and daily programming (4–5 times per week)
• Access to food and essential support improved overall household stability
• Family engagement with the program increased, including participation in workshops and community activities
• Parents accessed support networks that contributed to income-generating opportunities

As a result, the family experienced increased stability, stronger engagement in their children’s development, and improved access to opportunities within the community.

María José’s experience highlights the importance of addressing both individual and family-level challenges to create sustainable, long-term impact.

This experience reflects patterns observed across families who engage consistently in the program

Long-Term Transformation and Leadership – Susana

Susana first arrived at our program in conditions of high vulnerability. She appeared undernourished, lacked access to basic hygiene, and struggled to build healthy relationships, often displaying aggressive behaviour toward peers and staff.

Over the next seven years, Susana became a consistent participant in the program, attending activities regularly and engaging in structured support. Through sustained mentorship and a stable environment, significant changes were observed:

• Behavioural incidents reduced, with improved emotional regulation and peer relationships
• School engagement increased, moving from at-risk of expulsion to consistent participation
• Academic performance improved, with positive feedback from school staff

Her three older brothers also engaged with the program, with all successfully completing high school—becoming the first in their family to do so.

The impact extended to the family unit. Susana’s mother became employed within the program for nearly six years, and her father contributed through maintenance and infrastructure support—strengthening household stability and income opportunities.

Today, Susana is a student leader within the program. She supports younger children in their development, demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to giving back to her community.

Her story reflects the long-term impact of consistent support, structured intervention, and strong community relationships.

This experience reflects patterns observed across children and families who engage consistently in the program.

Key Outcomes

• Improved school engagement and retention among participating children
• Increased social and emotional development, reflected in behaviour and peer relationships
• Reduced exposure to high-risk environments through consistent program participation
• Strengthened family stability through ongoing support and community engagement
• Long-term engagement has supported children to progress from early childhood participation through to school completion and transition into employment pathways

Human Impact: Stories of Change

The following case examples illustrate how these outcomes are experienced at an individual and family level. While each story is unique, they reflect consistent patterns observed across children and families who engage regularly in the program.

Ongoing Community Support and Outreach

Beyond structured programs, i58 Movement has consistently responded to urgent and emerging needs within the community, including:

• Supporting families with basic household setup and essential living needs
• Providing food, hygiene supplies, and medical support, including wheelchairs, medication, and specialized care equipment
• Delivering assistance to highly vulnerable groups, including displaced families, elderly individuals, Venezuelan refugees, and families living in extreme poverty
• Offering advocacy and direct support to help families navigate complex social and economic challenges

Summary of Impact

Through sustained presence and community trust, i58 Movement has:

• Supported hundreds of children through education, nutrition, and mentorship
• Provided critical aid to vulnerable families during times of crisis
• Created a safe, consistent, and trusted space within a high-risk environment
• Built long-term relationships that enable meaningful and lasting change

This sustained presence over eight years has positioned i58 Movement as a trusted and consistent actor within the community.

Monitoring and Evaluation

i58 Movement is committed to ensuring that all programs are effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the community.

We monitor and evaluate our impact through:

• Tracking school attendance and engagement of participating children
• Monitoring academic progress and literacy development
• Recording daily program participation and retention
• Gathering regular feedback from children, families, and staff
• Tracking progression of youth into further education or employment pathways

This data allows us to continuously improve program delivery, measure outcomes, and ensure that all resources are used effectively and transparently.

Sustainability

The long-term sustainability of i58 Movement is built on strong community relationships, consistent program delivery, and a diversified funding approach.

Our model prioritises:

• Deep engagement with families and community members, ensuring local ownership and trust
• Development of local leadership through staff, volunteers, and program participants
• Long-term relationships with international donors and partners
• Strategic partnerships with organisations that provide expertise, resources, and opportunities

As we enter the next phase of growth, our focus is to strengthen financial stability, expand partnerships, and build a model that allows for sustainable program expansion and long-term impact.

Impact and Results

Since its inception, i58 Movement has provided consistent, long-term support to children, families, and the wider community in Cazucá, Soacha—an area characterized by high levels of poverty, displacement, and social vulnerability.

Our work has evolved in response to the changing needs of the community, expanding from child-focused programming to holistic family and community support.

Providing daily access to structured programs for approximately 60 children.