The Foundation’s sole supported school in Colombia is Casa Italia in the district of Boca Azul Boquilla, located in the heart of Cartagena, a bustling port city on the Caribbean coast, on the far northwestern tip of South America.
Our Impact
The Foundation sponsored a ground-up, two-story expansion of the existing building at Casa Italia, which is not a traditional school, but rather, a privately funded non-governmental organization, where children from poor families living in precarious situations have access to a comprehensive education, as well as food programs and healthcare, among other things. The new section houses six new classrooms, finished with flooring, windows and brick walls, as well as boys’ and girls’ bathrooms. In addition to building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school’s students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students’ families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
About
ABOUT CASA ITALIA – BOCA AZUL
Casa Italia is a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing full support to the poorest, most needy children of the community, those from the marginalized “barrio.” At this center, in addition to a comprehensive education and training program, students have access to a full range of health, social and nutrition services, activities and sports. The primary function of the center – education – is delivered through the academic organization “Instituto Una Nueva Luz de Esperanza.” The Institute, through Boca Azul, offers its students a way to develop their social, creative and intellectual skills in an environment designed to cultivate their natural abilities and optimize their transformation into productive citizens. Also available at Casa Italia are: medical services such as first aid, vaccinations and deparasitization; tutoring and help with school work; an on-site psychologist to deal with mental health issues. And each child receives a substantial meal every day. All of these services are performed by volunteers.
Casa Italia – Boca Azul School
At CASA ITALIA -BOCA AZUL, the Foundation has contributed funding for a single major project:
- Two-Story Expansion of Existing Building, Housing
- Six Classrooms & Bathrooms
Gifts to Bring if You’re Visiting
Notebooks, used functional technology such as tablets (with needed charging cables)
