In June 2024, FOC was able to provide fiscal sponsorship to FUCAHIS that provided last minute tuition payments to students in Colombia. Here is a bit more about the organization started by Tad Runge (RPCV 1963-1965).

FUNDACION SOCIAL CAMBIANDO HISTORIAS – FUCAHIS

2024 is an exciting year for Fucahis. The first three of their five year university students graduate this year.  They are 4 colleagues –  RPCV Tad Runge (Colombia 12/8CARE -1963-65), Lida and Hugo (2 dedicated Colombian teachers), and Carolina, the daughter of a Colombian friend of Tad’s from PC days.

Where? A rural village called San Juan de Toacgua, Luruaco,  Atlantico (check it out on YouTube – “Enea y Junco”.

In 2012 Tad returned to Colombia for the first time and took a unplanned side trip from Cartagena to see his old PC site. The warm reception was unforgettable.

During his return visits to San Juan in 2014 and 2016  discussions with old friends revealed a great need. Very few of the local school graduates had the means to access and benefit from further education.

Just prior to and during his 2016 visit he had the great fortune to meet with representatives from FOC, Haroldo Suarez of The Magdalena Foundation (TMF), Alba Lucia of Fundehumac ( both FOC funded organizations,) and PC volunteers Jessie Altha and Michael Owen.

In 2016 the Program was established to support local high school (11th grade) graduates based on three criteria. 1. Financial need; 2. Scholastic aptitude ; and, 3. A demonstrated involvement in and support for doing community social work projects.

Four scholarships (becas) were awarded during his January 2017 visit.   The four becados matriculated at a private two year community college in the nearest commutable city – Sabanalarga. The decision to go this route was based on logistics and educating the most students for their  budget.  Students choose their own majors.

Tad returned in 2018 and four more becas were awarded. Tuition costs at that time were $375 to $450,000 COP plus travel per student each semester (approximately $400US +).

Tad established a self perpetuating special donor advisor fund in Maine to support the Program’s on-going financial needs. Each year this fund sends sufficient funds to their Colombian bank account with the help of TMF and Fundehumac.  This year FOC played an important role in the transfer of their  7/24-6/25 funds.

By 2019 they realized how scarce job opportunities were for the community college grads, especially in some of the self-selected careers.  In late 2018 Lida made the fortuitous discovery that S J was a designated Afro Colombian community and that applicants, who had demonstrated good academic skills on the state ICFES exams, could be eligible for scholarship assistance to public universities AND the expanding # of SENAs (excellent public 2 year technical colleges).

With very limited tuition costs they could now afford to send the becados to 5 year public universities and allocate funds to room, board, and transportation expenses  which amount to about $250,000COP per month per student.

Students are also encouraged to follow certain career paths, especially teaching and agriculture to improve their employability upon graduation. This year’s 3 graduates will have degrees in science education, early childhood education, and accounting .

In addition to the original 8, they  have since selected 21 becados, 13 to universities,  five to SENAS, and one to beautician school. They have lost six of these 21 – four due to family dynamics, one for poor grades,  and one, for her unwillingness to carry out her community service responsibilities.

Tad will be returning again in January 2025 to meet with his three colleagues and the students and select the next cohort of becados.

In the past he has also brought a number of laptops, both rebuilt and new, to support the becados university studies.

An amazing result of their program has been the increasing ICFES grades obtained by our applicants. As more and more young people see hope in their future they study harder and stay in school.  This is particularly true with the young women who have been their strongest students and a majority of the becados.

What is the future should something happen to Tad?

He has the support of his daughter and his best friend’s daughter (who speaks fluent Spanish) to keep the Program going until all of the becados, then in the program, have graduated.

Lastly, have you visited Columbia since you returned?

He encourages you to do it?

It was a privilege to be there then. That beautiful country is still there with the same amazingly beautiful people.

Go visit your old site. They would love to see you.

You can contact Tad at [email protected]