“In most cases, the difference between either good and bad social behavior is opportunities”
Wait a second, I hope you do not misunderstand me, I am not trying to justify the bad social behavior of some people, but rather I am referring to my own story.
I grew up in a small community where a role model of a man is surrounded by things like alcoholism, drug addiction, gangs, etc... an environment where studying beyond primary doesn't look like a priority, either due to economic situation, education access, or lack of employment opportunities once graduated from high school. However, I have been able to appreciate throughout my day to day how education has personally changed my point of view of how to see life, and also it has been able to help me create opportunities, not only for myself but also for many other people who, like me, are trying to improve their economic and social conditions for themselves and their loved ones.
For many people, going to the USA is their biggest wish as an opportunity to improve their economic status. I was invited several times to be part of youth groups moving to the USA, but unfortunately, IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONDITIONS. They go there looking for what is called "The American Dream". I decided to stay in my country because sadly I saw many people getting better economic statuses, but in several cases at the cost of losing their family connections. I grew up with my mother - I am the oldest of five siblings, and I feel responsible for giving them a good example of life, I am happy to have decided to stay with my family and I feel grateful to God for giving us the opportunities to be close each other and share quality time, and at the same time that we are nurturing our families with love and hope.
In Intibucá, Honduras, The Kolibri Platform has been implemented in several schools, providing teachers and students access to a wide range of educational resources, including textbooks, videos, and interactive exercises. The platform has not only helped to improve learning outcomes but has also empowered teachers with the tools they need to provide a more personalized and engaging learning experience for themselves and their students.
One of the key factors in the success of Kolibri in Intibucá has been the comprehensive training and support provided to teachers and school administrators. Support from partial grants by the United States Department of State has allowed us to develop both of these. Partnerships have been crucial. We are implementing Kolibri together with the Honduran Secretary of Education, and local governments. Non-profit organizations, such as World Vision, Plan International, and UNICEF are providing equipment to the schools too, and they are in full support of Kolibri being installed onto their donated equipment, and I am sure more will join us on this mission as we progress. We are working closely with educators to ensure that they can effectively integrate Kolibri into their teaching practices.
Through training sessions and ongoing support, teachers have been able to learn how to use the platform to create personalized learning plans for their students, track progress, and provide targeted interventions when needed. This has helped to ensure that students are receiving the support they need to succeed, even in areas with limited resources and infrastructure.
The success of Kolibri in Intibucá has demonstrated the power of technology to improve education outcomes, even in some of the most remote and underserved communities. By providing access to quality educational resources and empowering teachers with the tools they need to create personalized learning experiences, the platform is helping to level the playing field and ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure the sustainable and effective implementation of this wonderful technology in Honduras and other countries around the world. Continued investment in infrastructure and resources is needed to support the use of the platform in areas with limited connectivity, and ongoing training, and support for teachers and school administrators will be essential to ensure that the platform is integrated successfully into existing education systems.
Our alliance with all the mayors of Intibucá who have signed understanding letters to reinforce our partnership and work together to keep moving forward is an important step for this area. Many of them are already investing in the project, and the rest of them are writing proposals to expand the opportunity in this second semester and for the beginning of next year.
Mayors assigned IT support for all 17 municipalities in Intibucá. They are certified Kolibri trainers, and they will help the teachers by resolving any queries about how to integrate this new technology into their daily teaching-learning experience. We are very happy to see after years of work how Mayors are looking at this as a great opportunity for their municipalities to expand Kolibri all around our department. Outside Intibuca, more mayors are asking about this innovative technology, and soon more students around Honduras will get this benefit too.
Despite these challenges, the success of the Kolibri in Intibucá provides hope for the future of education in Honduras and beyond. By leveraging technology and innovative solutions, we can create a more equitable and inclusive education system, one that empowers all learners to reach their full potential.
We have to work now to create the generation where our children will live!
