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About us
CERREJÓN FOUNDATION FOR INDIGENOUS GUAJIRA
Who we are
Since 2008, the mission of the Cerrejón Foundation for Indigenous Guajira has been to work together with the indigenous communities in the department of La Guajira, Colombia, to improve their standards of living in accordance with their own world view, stimulating their social and cultural development.
The need for a better standard of living
La Guajira has a considerable indigenous population (mostly Wayúu); in fact, it is the largest in Colombia and comprises 40% of the department’s population. The Wiwa and Kogui also have a significant presence. However, these communities face many challenges, including the invasion of the modern world, the division of their ancestral lands, unemployment, and poverty, to name just a few.
How we help
The Foundation was created to help alleviate social problems amongst the ethnic groups of La Guajira, improve their standards of living, and strengthen their participation processes and internal organization. In 2009, we invested $1.2 M USD. These resources are destined for projects involving social investment, institutional improvements, use and conservation of natural resources, and strengthening of cultural heritage through sustainable development strategies.
The goals of the Foundation are to reconcile the interests of the ethnic groups as a community with those of Cerrejón as a business. We are also seeking conditions of equality and autonomy for vulnerable sectors of indigenous society, particularly for women, children, and seniors.
Our 2010 budget of $1.7 M USD is destined for strengthening indigenous organizations, integrating communities to the social services infrastructure, and fostering income-generation projects.
The Cerrejón Foundation for Indigenous Guajira is headed by Otto Vergara, Executive Director. Mr Vergara is a social anthropologist, a former advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and former advisor to the office of Indigenous Affairs of the Government of La Guajira.
Testimonial
Yoleida Montiel
Member of the Rural Youth Program, Nortechon Community.
“Speaking on behalf of the community, we have received good benefits, for instance, in training for 27 women [who are] heads of family in my community…. We have a kiln for pottery, and we are also working with the Farm through an agreement, and a farm is being created in my community…. We would like to thank Cerrejón and the Cerrejón Foundation for Indigenous Guajira”.
