Vamos a la Granja

"Vamos a la Granja" is an independent NGO working for more than 9 years in 5 diferent countries of the American Continent, with projects based on education, citizen security, environmental protection and social inclusion using the arts, sports and sciences for sustainability and transformation involving the community. We collaborate, support, grant and advise international projects for the reinforcement and reconstruction of the social fabric.

https://valgngo.wixsite.com/website

 

"Egipto Vive" 

This is a social development project that is planned to last for 10 years, created by the collaboration of "El Plumero" foundation, "Colombian Top Team" foundation and the direction of NGO "Vamos la granja" for the planning and engineering of sustainable systems that work for the needs and dreams of the more than 2000 families in the neighbourhood Barrio Egipto in Bogotá that have been severly affected by the consecuences of the world pandemic. Barrio Egipto has a history of transformation from a gang banging, drug dealing and felony background to a uplifting entrepreneurship community based economy, this development of their social transformations has been stopped due te lack of support by the state. This transfomrmation have been happening internally in the past 10 years lead by the local social leaders.

Check more about Barrio Egipto History and the full project here

 https://valgngo.wixsite.com/website/egipto-vive

This crowdfunding we are doing is the kickstarter  for "Egipto Vive" project to work directly with Barrio Egipto during 10 years. However, our work doesnt limit to that neighborhood and that project in Bogotá since we are going to be doing simultaneous projects among "El Plumero" and "Colombian Top Team" foundation.

These are the actions we are taking with the funds we are raising:

1. Set up our community center in La Candelaria

By getting hold of this well located colonial house in calle 12 #2-27 in  La Candelaria area of Bogotá (https://www.booking.com/hotel/co/hostal-cq-candelaria.es.html the house was previuosly a hostel that went bankrupcy, so the property is available) close to 3 of the most important universities in Bogotá and right below Barrio Egipto. In this house we will host:

HEADQUARTERS - for our in-house volunteers that will be teaching and helping in the projects. We will reach the international community and local community in Bogota to get teachers and more helping hands

OFFICES -  for "Vamos a la Granja", "El Plumero" and "Colombian Top Team". This is so we can apply for grants to open society foundation,  Inter American foundation and more institutions in charge of supporting this type of projects. Also so we can create more crowdfundings, approach to private donnors and government grants.

SEWING SHOP - We want to create an income for Vamos a la Granja, so we are using our fashion design skills to manufacture clothing and sell it online, with this we will create jobs for women in Barrio Egipto

OUR  PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT -  in which we will offer cost free programs for children, teenagers and adults as complementary education for their careers promoting values and alternatives. We will host:

• Dance, Music, Theathre, Martial Arts after school programs for children and teenagers
• Photography and Film, Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Community Management programs for teenagers
• Politics, environmental and business sciences complementary programs for college students
• Digital business studies open to everyone
• English, French and Chinese classes open to everyone
• Leadership and entrepreneurship workshops open to everyone

2- Feed families in Barrio Egipto

We are going to buy and make food bags worth of 7 days of food and give it to 25 families of 4 members every week during 4 months. We are prioritizing to raise more funds for this activity to feed more families but also we are applying for future grants to help families and single mothers to start their own business and create income themselves.

3- Donate house construction supplies

Houses in Barrio Egipto are built in an mountain terrain, amde out of unstable materials and falling down, we want to work with one family each month during 4 months to help them rebuild or remodel their home, since Bogota is has a rainy weather most of the time, its important for them to have at least a good roof.

4- Create job opportunities

With the space available, equipment and skills we will create 3 type of job opportunities for locals

DIGITAL ANIMATION - We are going to hire 2 teenagers interested in digital animation and teach them how to ork with diferent software to join our team in "The Raw 360" our creative solutions agency.

FASHION DESIGN - Since we are buying sewing machines we are going to need who operates them, so we are hiring and teaching 3 single moms to help us manufacture clothing of our designs

PHOTOGRAPHY - We are teaching 3 teenagers how to become the best photographer and allow them to use our center as studio to make money as professional photographers working for our agency.

5- Legalize "El Plumero" Foundation

We have been working with Diana Caicedo, a local single mom and leader of Barrio Egipto who wants to set up her NGO and legalize it with the Colombian authorities to then take the elad of "Egipto Vive" project and bring more change and support to the community.

6- Present our foundations and work officially to the authorities

We want the local government to know about what we are doing, and by being this organized they will include us in important desitions for the community, and since we want to involve into politics by bringing local candidates in the future, this is our best opportunity.

7- Be able to eventually create more jobs for local teachers, artists and athletes

Our projects have always been a place of support not only for vulnerable populations but also for artists, athletes and teachers, and with this start up we will be able to apply for grants to offer jobs to this professionals by working in our programs and workshops