Photo: Children taking part in the "Me la Juego por La Pedregosa" programme, La Pedregosa, Cartagena.
The Climate Investor One-funded Pétalo solar project is located in La Pedregosa inCartagena, Colombia. The area, in the Magdalena river basin, has a history of social vulnerability linked to past conflict. So, in 2024, when parents raised concerns about elevated risks affecting their children, such as exposure to harmful behaviours, violence, and adolescent pregnancy, the Project company decided to act.
In response, the Project partnered with Fútbol con Corazón International (FCC), anon-profit organisation using sport as an entry point to strengthen children, families, and community resilience. Together with Andina Solar, FCC developed "Me la Juegopor La Pedregosa," a project grounded in a simple principle: when children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in safe, inclusive spaces, communities become better equipped to create positive change.
The project engaged 120 children and young people and 113 families through development activities and 3 family schools and rehabilitated a soccer field as a safe space for the community. Ten community leaders received training, empowering them to drive development and social transformation in their communities.
Among the children who took part in the initiative are siblings Everédé and Erika. Everédé used to help his mother in her work instead of going to school, while Erika went to school but also helped her mother. At first, their mother was unsure about letting her children take part. The Project team listened to her concerns and explained the initiative, and she decided to let them join
Through the project, both children strengthened their social and emotional skills, built confidence, and discovered the value of teamwork, respect, and perseverance. She told us her story. Everédé and Erika get along better with each other, and Everédé is now more affectionate with his little sister and his mother. Best of all, he went back to school, giving him the chance to build a better future.
“The project has changed our family” says their mother, “now my children dream bigger, support each other, and Everédé is studying again.”.
