On August 9th, 2024, Rubén Gualtero, Secretary of the YumaKids Foundation, along with Dr. Asunción Gualtero, our collaborating psychiatrist, and Johana Caicedo, a clinical psychologist leading the adolescent mental health workshops, visited the Municipal Department of Education in Ibagué. The purpose of the visit was to explore potential collaboration and promote a joint agenda in support of adolescents and school communities.
During the meeting, the YumaKids team presented the foundation’s lines of work, its methodology, and the positive impact that the workshops have had on youth in other areas of the department. The Department of Education showed interest in the initiative and expressed its willingness to move forward with a joint strategy to implement these programs in Ibagué’s public schools.
“We’re very excited about this openness to dialogue and collaboration. Our proposal aims to strengthen adolescents’ emotional well-being and support school staff in increasingly complex environments,” said Johana Caicedo, psychologist at YumaKids.
The foundation has been working for several years on community-based mental health initiatives, especially in areas with limited access to psychosocial services. This approach to the Department of Education marks an important step toward coordination with government entities and an opportunity to broaden the reach and sustainability of YumaKids’ programs.
In the coming months, the foundation hopes to finalize cooperation agreements that include awareness sessions, training for teachers and school counselors, and the direct implementation of workshops in selected schools.
