In December 2024, American Jesuits International (AJI) staff and board members participated in a week of immersion, solidarity, and reflection in Colombia. The team had the opportunity to witness, firsthand, the work of Jesuit-sponsored organizations that are working to empower and transform local communities. Over the course of a week, the team gained a deeper understanding of the complex and shifting context in Colombia and how our two strategic partners, Fe y Alegría and Comparte, are working on the margins throughout the country. Through site visits, conversations with partners, and discussions among the staff and with the Board of Directors, this week was both inspiring and transformative for those who participated and for our organization more broadly.
Immersing in Cali: Collaboration with IMCA and Fe y Alegría
The first stop of the trip was Cali, where Nate, Ixchel, John, and Suzanne stayed at the IMCA Hotel, a social enterprise operated by the Instituto Mayor Campesino (IMCA) Cooperative. This hotel was once the residence for the Jesuits agricultural programs and rural education school started by Fr. Francisco Javier Mejía, S.J. in 1962. Originally known as the Universidad Campesina – UNCA (Rural Farmers University), the center was a reference for primary education, cooperative education, leadership courses for adults and community engagement for decades, even as the political and social context of Colombia has fluctuated.
Today the IMCA is part of the Comparte Network, a collaborative initiative of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean (CPAL). This network encompasses 15 social centers across 10 countries—Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico—as well as the Jesuit PanAmazon (SJPAM) , Fe y Alegría International’s vocational training program, and Alboan. Formed in 2008, Comparte is a community of learning and action that works with producer organizations and allied entities to develop economic-productive initiatives as alternatives to the dominant development model.
On Monday, the group began the day with Pedro Antonio Ojeda Pinta, Manager of Social Projects at IMCA. He gave an overview of the IMCA’s history, its current projects, and its role within the Comparte Network. He then introduced Disney, a community member who helps organize and accompany rural communities and agricultural initiatives. Disney brought the group to a rural finca, owned by a family participating in IMCA’s programs. The family shared their life story and their approach to Forest Agriculture methodology. Together they toured the hillside farm, explaining their diverse practices which include growing coffee, bananas, legumes, herbs, and spices, as well as caring for livestock such as guinea pigs, chickens, and goats.
The next day, Tuesday, was dedicated to Fe y Alegría Colombia in Cali. The group visited the last operational school in Cali, gaining insight into the challenges Fe y Alegría faces as government policies shift. Six other schools in the area have been closed as contracts with the government have not been renewed. The team also visited an early childhood education center, reinforcing Fe y Alegría’s mission to provide educational opportunities to underserved communities. Before departing Cali, the team met with Erminsu Iván David Pabón, known as “Mincho,” the director of IMCA and coordinator of the Comparte Network..
Expanding Perspectives in Bogotá
In Bogotá, the team was joined by Giulia, Pam, and Guillermo, members of AJI’s Board of Directors, for the second phase of their trip.
Thursday began with a visit to the Fe y Alegría Colombia National Office, where Sabrina Burgos, Director of New Frontiers and Advocacy, shared how the organization is responding to Colombia’s evolving education landscape. Fe y Alegría is a popular education movement present in 22 countries, promoting and defending the right to quality education. The movement’s cornerstone is popular education, guiding their mission to reach the frontiers of exclusion in these countries. They aim to generate sustainability through commitment and public action to influence social, cultural, and political transformation.
Later, the team visited the early childhood education center in Palermo Sur, the only remaining component of a once expansive Fe y Alegría school. The center’s decline stemmed from changes in government policy.
The day continued with a tour of the Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario Fe y Alegría, led by Sister Zoila Cueto. This vibrant community center hosts programs in dance and arts, sewing and embroidery workshops, a computer room providing the neighborhood’s only internet access, and a community garden with a seed bank. The day concluded with reflections at the Fe y Alegría Colombia National Office.
On Friday, the team convened at the offices of Fe y Alegría International for AJI’s quarterly board meeting, which included virtual participation from other members. Fr. Dani Villanueva, S.J., General Coordinator of Fe y Alegría International, presented on Jesuit education at the margins and the collaboration between AJI and Fe y Alegría. The board also discussed U.S. philanthropy and international cooperation, approved new projects, began strategic planning preparations, and elected new board members.
A Journey of Solidarity and Growth
This trip offered the AJI team a firsthand look at the resilience and creativity of the Colombian communities they support. By visiting IMCA and Fe y Alegría initiatives, the team deepened their understanding of local challenges and opportunities. Together, Fe y Alegría and Comparte serve as AJI’s strategic partners, working to identify opportunities to amplify and expand the impactful work of the Jesuits and their collaborators. The journey reaffirmed AJI’s dedication to fostering education and empowerment as pathways to social justice.
