Our Colombian partner FUNDAEC recently provided us with a report about their situation and progress during the quarantine and pandemic crisis that continues to affect Colombia.

During these past few months, much effort has been done to ensure that the PSA program continues to be offered to as many regions and with the best quality possible. This has been challenging due to limited resources but the determination and dedication of the tutors, coordinators and participants have reaped promising results. The PSA groups have continued to meet and make progress in the program’s curriculum although this has proved challenging due to the pandemic restrictions. The tutors have had to divide their groups into smaller groups of 3-4 participants in order to have face-to-face classes while respecting the sanitary measures. In some cases, the tutors were able to organize videoconferences to those participants that have access to the internet. Overall the tutors are working overtime and applying a flexible approach to ensure all participants are contributing to the best of their ability.

In parallel, productive agricultural initiatives have been encouraged since the start of the quarantine in Colombia. The aim behind these initiatives was to be better prepared in light of the negative impact of Covid-19 on local economies. One outcome of this was to establish a greater number of vegetable gardens and animal husbandry projects with the goal to promote and increase local food production. In total, 369 participants took part in a total of 169 initiatives throughout the various regions in Colombia. 

Fortunately, so far there have been no reported cases of Covid-19 amongst the coordinators, tutors or participants of FUNDAEC. The coordinators are making sure to provide, as much as possible, important sanitary items such as masks and disinfectant gels, ensuring everyone follows the different biosecurity standards.

In order for the PSA program to function even under these conditions, it has been necessary for the national, regional and unit coordinators and tutors to talk continuously. Weekly evaluation and planning meetings are held at these different levels, allowing for timely information, and making adjustments and learning from the process.

Upon reading these updates, we at Unity Foundation feel an immense gratitude to our partners in the field, who are proactively finding innovative ways to continue with their program in spite of the dire conditions. We continue to keep all of our partners in our prayers and thoughts and we will strive to do what we can on our end to ensure that the goals set out become realized.