FUNDEBICONC (Foundation to Develop the Social Welfare of Colombian Black Communities)

The Valley of the Cauca River has many of the best farms in Colombia, but the civil war has forced many campesinos to become refugees in Cali or Popoyán. In those cities, their children become street kids. FUNDEBICONC is dedicated to giving families and children a good and secure life in the countryside so that they need not flee to the cities.

Poverty and hunger afflict many people in the towns of Corinto and Vereda. For this reason, FUNDEBICONC began with programs of “asistencialismo,” but it has now recognized that the community must solve its own problems. Today, FUNDEBICONC trains local people to run small businesses, to organize themselves, and to educate each other -- as well as providing medical and nutritional services.

Water and sewage have been major problems for these communities, so FUNDEBICONC has begun plumbing projects -- and is now teaching local people how to do the work themselves. Unfortunately, whenever they finish a project, the mayor always shows up to take the credit.

Today, FUNDEBICONC is beginning a health brigade project, where teenagers learn hygiene and basic medicine from doctors, then go through the communities, teaching their neighbors.


FUNDEBICONC, Fundación para el Desarrollo y el Bienestar Social de la Comunidades Negras de Colombia
Arcesio Balanta, Director Ejecutivo

Cra 3 #8-25
Padilla, Valle de Cauca
Colombia

o Cra 24A #28A-27
Cali, Valle
Colombia

57 28 268 109 (Padilla)
57 2 336 6837 (Cali)

fundebiconc@hotmail.com