Access to higher education opens paths, transforms lives, and strengthens the future of communities. In Matavén, we continue working so that more young people can reach that dream.
We took part in the “Feria de Oportunidades” (Opportunities Fair) held in Cumaribo, an event that brought together educational institutions, public entities, and organizations to guide students and graduates through the different higher education opportunities available and the steps to access them.
During the event, we presented the requirements and process to access the Ethnic Higher Education Program “Transforming Lives Fund,” an initiative of the REDD+ Matavén Project that supports the professional education of Indigenous youth in the territory.
Through this fund, we cover tuition and living expenses, including housing, transportation, food, study materials, uniforms, and/or equipment, with the shared commitment that each beneficiary returns to the territory to apply their knowledge in service of their community.
To date, 111 Indigenous students from the 17 sectors of Matavén have benefited from the program, pursuing technical, technological, and professional degrees in different regions of Colombia.
We also shared the Project’s newspaper and the literacy booklet “Waja Jume Itane,” designed to strengthen early learning and promote the preservation of language and culture.
The fair brought together key allies such as Icetex, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, SENA, ICBF, the Vichada Department of Education, the Municipality of Cumaribo, Institución Educativa Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, and Colegio Santa Teresita del Tuparro, among others committed to supporting rural and Indigenous education.
This initiative reflects our commitment to the integral development of Indigenous communities, promoting education as a tool for transformation, equity, and sustainability across the territory.