• Buritica - Magdalena
  • 314 810 6767
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EL RIO FOUNDATION

The El Rio Foundation works in a post-conflict zone on the North Caribbean coast of Colombia to provide educational, sporting, environmental and wellbeing programmes to positively impact our local community. We especially aim to provide free, fun, inclusive, impactful and reliable activities to all young people living in our local area.

We operate out of the multi award-winning Rio Hostel, Buritaca. Thanks to the support of our funding partners, hostel guests, crowd-funders, and the hostel itself, we now provide education and joy to 600+ children every week.

We are extremely proud that Rio Hostel was named Community Hero best hostel in the world by Hostelworld in 2024.

For the latest updates, please follow us @elriofoundation.

“We are fun, reliable, impactful and inclusive” 

OUR PROGRAMMES

We provide educational, sporting, wellbeing and environmental projects to positively impact our local community.
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IMPACT STATS

To read our annual review from 2024 please click HERE.

Children taking part each week
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Guest volunteers
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Attendances at our clubs 2022
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Academic Tutoring sessions each year
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CASE STUDIES/TESTIMONIALS

BLOG EL RIO FOUNDATION

We provide educational, sporting, wellbeing and environmental projects to positively impact our local community.

I would recommend volunteering with the Foundation at 1000/10. It is an incredible, unforgettable experience. The kids are open, happy, welcoming, curious, capable, powerful, and confident, in huge part due to the Foundation. They see that their potential is limitless and they strive to improve their skills and gain knowledge. I could never pick a single favourite moment because nearly every second of my stay was so joyful.’
Elias
EliasCommunity English teacher and Academic support volunteer
At the start of the year, Juan Pablo's was very distrustful of external support of any kind and his academic progress was very slow. If there were any behavioural incidents at Tutoring, Juan Pablo was never far away. By creating a safe space for Juan Pablo where he felt listened to, supported and celebrated, we have seen dramatic improvements in both his behaviour and his academic work. When he first came to Tutoring, he really struggled with his reading and writing. He now has a notebook where he writes poetry, which he sometimes performs to the class. We are really proud of him and we are looking forward to celebrating his achievements in his school and personal life even more in 2023.
Ximena Caro
Ximena CaroLos Linderos
The academic support from the Foundation in the afternoons has hugely strengthened my pupils' study habits and created a really nice routine for them. Indeed, the Tutorials have been really supportive in every way at a personal, family, community and school level. Before the programme, there was no support from home and now parents are taking more interest in their children's education. The biggest improvements I have seen are in the children's behaviour. They are more empathetic and are able to share and interact in a much more positive way.
Milagros Garcia Paz
Milagros Garcia PazQuebrada Valencia primary school
I am really grateful to the Foundation because they help us with our homework and, if we ever have a problem, they always help us.
Sharith
SharithVillacuisa
I am really proud of my decision to go to Tutoring. I have learnt to work in a team more and to have more respect, and besides I am learning another language. I really really really really really really love to go to Tutoring.
Adrian
AdrianLos Linderos
My favourite moments at Tutoring were learning English, doing division, doing my homework and when they help me to write in my notebook. I really like the new (volunteer) teachers, they are always kind to me and help me a lot. I am very proud of my progress in English especially. Tutoring is important for me so I can learn English and I feel free away from my house and my brothers, where it’s always very hot.
Maria
MariaLas Cabanas
I have seen lots of positive changes in my daughter this term. Her concentration has improved, she is much better at sharing and working in teams. She absolutely loves Tutoring and all the activities. The Foundation has helped her a lot.
Onaida
OnaidaBuritaca parent
At Tutoring, my children have learnt commitment, responsibility and motivation. They are much more disciplined, and their behaviour and also their English have improved a lot.
Neida
NeidaGuachaca parent
The biggest change I have seen in my daughter is that she now really enjoys English, maths and reading. Already she understands a lot and has much more knowledge. I feel very happy with your help. Thank you very much for helping our children 🙂
Martha
MarthaGuachaca parent
The LKA sessions have helped my son develop many skills. His vocabulary has improved a lot, he is more independent and the relationship with his peers has improved. He is more confident when speaking and he can now even pronounce numbers and colours in English!
Evier
EvierBuritaca parent
‘Because we only take care of what we know and only take care of what we love, we invite ourselves to know more about this territory through art and by experiencing nature.’
Andres Zuñiga
Andres ZuñigaEnvironmental Education lead teacher
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OUR BRILLIANT PARTNERS

We are very proud to be working in partnership with:

PARTNER 2
PARTNER 3
PARTNER 4
PARTNER 5
PARTNER 6
LOGO-FIFA-FOUNDATION
LOTE10
LOGO-FOOTER

“We are fun, reliable, impactful and inclusive” 

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Contact
  • Km 49, Troncal Caribe, Buritaca, Santa Marta - Magdalena
  • 314 810 6767
  • foundation@elriohostel.com
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