The FUNDEBAN Foundation (the Foundation for the Development of the Banana Zone) was founded on December 30, 1988.
The Foundation’s main objective is to improve the living conditions of agricultural workers in the Magdalena Zone and more specifically of those working in the banana industry. Fundeban’s achievements have been possible thanks to the contribution of US$ 0.04 per banana box exported from each banana grower and trading company, including Dole.
To reach its objectives, the Foundation has partnered with governmental entities such as Sena, Profamilia and Unimag. The Foundation focuses on:
- The organization of educational programs for personal and economic development
- The implementation of environmental programs
- The development and improvement of infrastructures, such as the construction and maintenance of roads and the implementation of programs aimed at providing potable water to the community
Educational Programs
- School for Musical Development
Over 150 children have been taught to read music, play the guitar, key board or flute, sing in the choir and participate in pre-orchestra classes.
Physical Education for Children
Over 128 children have earned an adequate perception and knowledge of the body and have acquired confidence and security in movement.
- School for Sports Development
Over 150 athletes between the ages of 6 and 15 have engaged in soccer, taekwondo and other activities, in 10 different communities from the banana zone municipality.
Every day, the library receives over 150 students and provides them with access to updated sources of information and to computers.
This pedagogical project teaches alternative conflict resolution mechanisms to the community.
- Family Plots Pilot Project
The Foundation also teaches families how to cultivate plots, as a way not only to grow food for the family and provide additional income, but also to improve the aesthetic value of the gardens.
Economic Assistance Program
This program contributes to financially support 1,300 displaced people by providing them with micro-credits, so that they can set up small businesses.
In the past 4 years, the Foundation, together with other partners, has provided children living in 26 communities with over 1,000,000 free breakfasts.
- Investigation Project for Products Derived from Bananas
The aim of this project is to develop new techniques to process bananas into products, such as sweets, marmalades and frozen banana pulp, which can complement the traditional sales of fresh bananas. The program is beneficial for the community at large because it provides people with the knowledge necessary to make added value products which can in turn provide households with some additional income.
Environmental Programs
The project is made up of three groups of women and men who collect the plastics used in the banana zone and recycle it as raw material for plastic siding and hosing, amongst other uses.
- Club for the Defense of the Environment
The project consists of training 40 groups of 52 people each as a way to encourage them to improve the environment and thus the quality of life of the populations of the banana zone.
- Recuperation of Water Basins
When in place, this program will be aimed at restoring the water basins, which have their source in the mountains surrounding Santa Marta and to use the water to supply the banana and palm tree zones of the Magdalena area.
Infrastructure Development and Improvement
In its 15 years serving those living in the banana zones, the FUNDEBAN Foundation has contributed to substantially changing the living conditions of the communities around the Magdalena area, as shown in the photographs. As a result of these initiatives, fifteen aqueducts were constructed, nearly 2,200 families received sanitary installations, and the percentage of the local population with access to potable drinking water grew from 20% to 90%.