My name is Hugo Delgado and I live in Colombia, South America. Three years ago, I co-founded a foundation called “Yo Creo en Mí” (I believe in myself). We work with children and teens from marginalized communities 200 miles south west of Bogota. After reading Dr. Covey’s book The Leader in Me, I instantly bought the concept of the 7 Habits approach and the ubiquitous strategy to teach leadership skills to kids and teens.

Six months ago we launched the leadership program and so far we have seen amazing results in these kids. Although we are still a very little organization, our vision is to replicate this model all around this country. Right now we work with more than 50 kids from ages 5 to 15, all of them from low income families. The zone in which we have the foundation is one of the most violent in this battered country, which in itself tells a lot about the type of environment we face in our everyday work.

Our foundation is not a school, we don´t offer kids formal education. Instead, we have created a “club” so kids can come here, have lunch, participate in our activities and then go home. Most of these kids were undernourished before they came here, so the nutrition program is one of the most critical for their well being. However, the real difference in their lives comes through the leadership program, which is based on the 7 Habits. We have created songs (http://www.box.net/shared/9guf70ovt8), posters, games, and stories that have helped them understand and internalize the habits. Also, each of them has a leadership position inside our “Club.”

We are hoping that in the near future we will start inundating this country with branches of our foundation, and creating the leaders of tomorrow that will make a difference in this part of the world.

4 Responses to ““Yo Soy un Ser Proactivo” (I am Proactive)”

1. Maria Jesús Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 10:47 am

   This one is a valuable work full of conscience that encourages in us the best.

   And it wakes us up to the Unit of which we all take part in this Earth.

   Thank you Hugo, Walter …

   Maria Jesus

2. Jenn Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

   It’s very nice and encouraging to see people working as hard as they are to guarantee a future for our children. Great job guys and keep it up !

3. Bourne Says:
   February 14th, 2010 at 2:45 am

   Great work Hugo!

4. vic barliso Says:
   March 18th, 2010 at 4:41 am

   I am proacitve too…

Leave a Reply

« To Stress or Not To Stress | Keeping the 7 Habits Alive »