WELCOME TO THE OLSA FOUNDATION
Be a brick in the foundation of another's life
THE OLSA FOUNDATION
BE A BRICK IN THE FOUNDATION OF ANOTHER'S LIFE!
OLSA International and the OLSA Foundation are dedicated to arming people with opportunities to help themselves build a future. We are firm believers in the old adage:
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.
Medellín, known as the City of Eternal Spring, is a common destination point for much of the tourism in Colombia. With its temperate climate and friendly people, on the surface, the city seems to be teaming with life. However, throughout the city exists severe problems with opportunity, especially in the vast low-income areas. Without opportunity, the worst elements of society become evident: crime, drugs, prostitution, instability, hopelessness.
Medellin is separated into socio-economic neighborhoods, called “estratos“. These estratos are numbered from one to six. The higher the estrato, the more well-off you are financially. The lower the estrato, the less well-off you are; possibly living in shanties in the foothills of Medellin with little to no electricity or formal plumbing.
Many people in Colombia live in multi-generational housing due to the limited opportunities for making a sustainable wage. This practice is much more extreme in the lower income estratos. For most in this situation, there is no hope of escaping this extreme poverty. However, we, at The OLSA Foundation, believe a person, with hard work and dedication, really can “change their stars.”
If we can reach just one person in each household and equip them with additional educational skills, especially through conversational English classes, camps and workshops (practical English, not just theoretical) that person can acquire a much higher paying job and support his/her immediate and extended family; taking them out of poverty and the perils that often accompany it (as mentioned in the principle paragraph). We are not looking to improve just one life, but entire households; entire families.
WHAT IS THE MONTHLY GOAL?
As mentioned above, here in Colombia, a small donation goes a long ways. Our basic monthly administrative needs including rent, utilities, supplies, equipment and salaries for our six person team (plus volunteers) is approximately $8,000 USD. Financial support in excess of this amount is used to provide quality English-based education for ambitious low income Colombians.
Opportunities Through English
$6,000 monthly to fully fund
The OLSA Foundation has a strategic partnership with OLSA International academy to use their native English teachers from the USA and Canada to teach conversational English to OLSA Foundation participants. In this partnership the school will receive a maximum of 80 Foundation participants at a 20% discount for a six month conversational English course (typically 8-12 participants per month). Foundation participants must be self-motivated, driven, demonstrate ambition to learn English and must adhere to a strict attendance policy. This program is for children (8 years and above), teens and adults.
Weekend English Camps and Workshops
$3,000 monthly to fully fund
The OLSA Foundation works with governmental and non-governmental agencies, and other local foundations to provide direct and indirect support for English-based camps and workshops. The end-game for these camps and workshops is to interact with the community, provide English instruction and an understanding of North American culture, history and ethics. It also provides us the opportunity for recruitment into the Opportunities for English program. This program is for children (8 years and above), teens and adults.
English Bible Study
$2,000 monthly to fully fund
The OLSA Foundation has excellent relationships with several Christian Churches and American seminary pastors in Medellin. We are happy to support weekly Bible studies in English at these churches and other venues with the missionary pastors. This program is for teens and adults.
HOW DO I DONATE?
We are so glad you asked that question! Your donation is very important to the OLSA Foundation and all the people it provides for. Keep in mind that your donation is tax deductible in Colombia and also in the United States. We have three partner foundations in the United States, all of which are registered as 501(c)(3) organizations and are linked with the IRS. See PARTNER FOUNDATIONS below to make a US-based donation. See the red DONATE button make a Colombia-based donation.
RECEIVE SPANISH LESSONS FOR YOUR DONATION!
Donate to The OLSA Foundation and receive tax deductible private Spanish classes, certified Spanish courses, and a number of Colombia-based excursions! See about your tax deductible education by clicking on the two links below!
We are always adding new experiences, so check back often!!
PARTNER FOUNDATIONS FOR DONATIONS FROM USA CITIZENS
Great Commission Foundation – Active!
New Hope Foundation – Coming Soon
