"let's grow" state of arauca, colombia

Oxy has helped build 34 elementary schools in the state of Arauca in Colombia and has implemented an innovative and successful adult education program called A Crecer (Let’s Grow).

Today A Crecer is flourishing. The program grew out of a critical community need for adult education programs and Oxy’s recognition that if the company was going to successfully employ local residents and purchase supplies from local vendors, there was a need to improve reading and writing skills.  “When the first adult literacy classes were offered, we didn’t know how many participants to expect,” recalls Oscar Moncada, Oxy Colombia’s Manager of Community Relations.  “On the first day, six hundred people showed up!  We were overwhelmed at first, but it confirmed both the community’s need and the people’s  interest in seizing opportunity.” 

Today A Crecer is educating more than 800 students, with 80 trained tutors in 15 locations.  To complete the program, students must complete five grades, a class project and 800 hours of extracurricular work.  It takes three months to complete one grade, each of which is organized into four modules:  math, communication, community and environment.  Adults attend A Crecer classes on the weekend --  at the same Oxy-built schools children attend during the week.

“I didn’t think that I could learn, I thought I was too old,” said Ramiro Ardila Herrera, an A Crecer student.  “I had always just worked the land and didn’t pay any attention to writing.  I started in the first level and now I am in the fourth and maybe I’ll pass to the fifth.  Imagine, what hope!  Without this program I wouldn’t have the opportunity I’ve been given…  this year I was hired as the coordinator for the Caño Limón Sports Education program.”

Colombia’s Minister of Education has lauded the A Crecer program and is evaluating ways to expand the program into other regions in Colombia.

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