The Monifue Uruk Uitoto Council’s maloca advances as a space for early childhood education and care

Corporación Horizontes Colombianos, with the support of the Peace Foundation in Germany and the participation of the Monifue Uruk Council, completed the first phase of adapting the maloca as a future community space for early childhood education and care in Usme, Bogotá.

The project supports the Uitoto community in creating a safe and appropriate place of its own for the education, gathering and care of its children. The work began with the maloca, recognized by the community as its central space for gathering, cultural transmission and learning.

A space created by the community

According to the council governor, Paola Attama, the maloca represents the community’s first kindergarten and first school. Its adaptation was therefore established as the starting point for creating the community kindergarten.

Between December 2025 and March 2026, eight mingas, or community work sessions, were held. Council members participated alongside the team supporting the physical and logistical preparation of the space.

Main work completed

• Replacement and reinforcement of deteriorated columns to improve structural safety.
• Adaptation and insulation of the walls to reduce the entry of cold and moisture.
• Installation of wooden frames and panels to improve the enclosure of the maloca.
• Covering, leveling and improvement of the floor.
• Installation of protective mats for future play, gathering and learning areas.

The phase concluded with a session in which the children participated in installing and taking ownership of the mats, followed by a community meeting to begin planning the second phase.

The journey continues

With the physical adaptation completed, the project will move forward with defining how the kindergarten will operate, planning its programs and preparing the initial opening stage.

This initiative reaffirms Corporación Horizontes Colombianos’ commitment to education, child protection, community strengthening and the preservation of Indigenous peoples’ knowledge.