CASA HOGAR is an aid project aimed at improving the living conditions of the – mostly black or indigenous – disadvantaged population in Chocó, Colombia. The way to achieve this is through the education of young women and girls. For us, education means not only access to schooling, but also and especially a holistic education for personal development and the creation of perspectives. In this, we see ourselves in the role of companions. We want to understand the ideas and needs of the local people and encourage them to formulate them and develop their own project proposals. We accompany them in this process, as well as in the implementation of the projects.

Our initial project is a residential house in Istmina for girls who live too remotely and are too poor to attend secondary school without support. The residents receive a scholarship to the renowned school “Colegio Diocesano San José”. The first girls have been in care since the beginning of 2018. The structural and qualitative expansion of the Colegio Diocesano San José is the second step; since June 2019, university entrance qualifications can be acquired at this school.

In the sense of holistic education, there are also offers (e.g. workshops) that focus on gender equality and the creation of equal opportunities for girls and young women – but without generally excluding boys from the offers.