Education
Education is our main strategy for ensuring child protection, overcoming poverty and closing social gaps.
Empowering 3,400+ girls, boys and adolescents each year.
School with a Purpose
Our educational model “School with a Purpose” is based on the formation of conscientious, responsible individuals capable of generating wellbeing and development for themselves and their environment; introducing a holistic development of the child beyond simply an academic standpoint.
Our model functions through two key strategies:
- Cognitive development: support better learning by providing students with the necessary development tools for continued academic improvement.
- Social and emotional development: promoting comprehensive development of emotional intelligence in students from within an academic context.
“We are committed to address the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of each student, as well as the traditional scholastic development of knowledge, reasoning, and thinking. It is this holistic education that empowers our students to take leadership and accountability for their lives, develop their life plan, and lead fruitful and fulfilling lives.”
— Missy Christie, President of Conviventia
We currently have four CDA-God is Love schools operating under our School with a Purpose model, located in some of Colombia’s most vulnerable communities:
- El Pozon, Cartagena
- Las Americas, Barranquilla
- Altos de Cazuca, Soacha
- Lucero Alto, Bogota
Other projects under Education
AVANZA: (Our ‘Advance’ Project): Our strategic approach for the prevention, early identification and intervention for students with potential learning differences or challenges.
Parent’s school for early childhood development: Focused on stimulating comprehensive development of children aged 0-4 and the formation of parents based on childhood development benchmarks.
Co-Existir (Co-Exist Project): Our strategic approach to promote peaceful coexistence amongst students; ensuring adequate conflict resolution.
Wellbeing and Development Centers: Extracurricular activities to support comprehensive development of non-academic skills and significantly lower potential psycho-social risk for students.
Child Protection: Preventive action from the school, early identification and intervention in relation to potential psychological or social risks to students.
PROGRESSA Fund: Scholarships and student loans for the higher education of youth facing particularly vulnerable situations
Our God is Love schools and related projects are supported in part by
compassionate sponsors, our Friends of Hope, who
donate $36 a month to finance a child’s education.
Scholarship Testimony
By Arlinson
“I recently entered the scholarship program to earn a bachelor’s degree in education with emphasis on social and environmental sciences at the University of Cartagena. I was anxious, but so looking forward to this new stage in my life! I know that entering University is an enormous challenge, but I am committed, because this awesome opportunity will equip me to share knowledge with others. One of my goals is to learn and grow so I can be a better person for my community and in the future foster change through providing solutions to complex situations, based on what I learn at university.
As I advance now toward the dream of becoming a professional in education, I thank God and the kind people who have made it possible. Without this support I would not be able to access university. Throughout my time at school, I received nothing but good opportunities and I pray that God will allow me to pay those back, by putting at the service of others, all the skills that I acquire. Thank you dear sponsors of Conviventia for being instrumental in my life. I have learned that when we place our dreams before the Lord, all things are possible.”
Testimony from a mother at the CDA-God is Love School, Lucero Alto.
My name is Mireille, I am 35 years old and I am Tomás’ mother; my son is in pre-school. When he entered the God is Love School, he had behavior issues, he did not follow instructions, he was restless, distracted easily, and more. I was unsure if he’d stay long, but the head teacher noticed his behavior and immediately started working in a more personalized way with him. That genuine interest in helping us was something new for me. I had not seen that at other schools.
Testimony from a teacher at the CDA-God is Love school, Lucero Alto
My name is Desly, I started my job as a teacher with Conviventia in January, 2018. Before joining Conviventia, I had teaching experience in both private and public schools. All the children I have met are my motivation to continue in this beautiful profession, which allows me to influence the new generations.
When I started to learn everything about the school (administrators, classmates, general service staff, students, and parents) I was amazed. It was great! The fact that I am able to start the day with a devotional in the Word of God and I am allowed to share the gospel with my students is wonderful. The opportunity to work here has been of amazing spiritual strengthening for my life.
Now, a bit about the academic aspects of my job. I initially had a bit of confusion with Conviventia’s educational model; this was something new for me, but I had the best instructors in the process: my little students. They were very generous and helped me adapt to this methodology. Additionally, some of my more experienced colleagues provided me with guidance when I had questions. The Academic Coordinator had great patience with me! As an educational psychologist, this job has represented great growth in my professional life. I had a good coordinator leading me and colleagues who guided me to learn and grow in my profession. Each one of the children became a challenge and a source of encouragement. It was rewarding to see the parents become more and more involved.
Conviventia and the God is Love School at Lucero Alto is not only a place where I have grown professionally, but also a place that God has used to heal my heart, showing me that each person is important and valued in the same way by Him. We are all equal, we all learn and we all teach. I only have gratitude with God and this wonderful workplace which became my second home.
