We proudly celebrate a milestone that inspires the entire Resguardo: Noralba Garrido García, from the Morocoto community, Morocoto Buenavista sector, has graduated as a Social Worker from the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios (UNIMINUTO). This achievement was made possible through the Ethnic Higher Education Program “Transforming Lives Fund”, an initiative of the REDD+ Matavén Project that opens the doors of higher education to Indigenous youth.
In 2018, we conducted a census that revealed a concerning reality: less than 1% of the Resguardo’s population held a professional or technical degree. In response, the Transforming Lives Fund was created to cover tuition and living expenses, including housing, transportation, food, study materials, uniforms, and/or equipment, with the commitment that beneficiaries return to the territory to apply their knowledge in service of their community.
At REDD+ Matavén, we believe that protecting forests also means investing in people. That’s why we create opportunities and provide tools, spaces, and resources for communities to gain the knowledge, skills, and capacities needed to lead the management of the REDD+ Matavén Project and engage in initiatives that safeguard Matavén’s biodiversity, waters, and natural resources.
Each graduation, like Noralba’s, is a seed that blossoms into leadership and hope for future generations.