British Ambassador Experiences Bayswater Foundation's Impact in Medellín

We recently hosted George Hodgson, the British Ambassador to Colombia, at one of our supported projects in Colombia, the Children of Medellín foundation (Fundación Caminos).

During his visit, Ambassador Hodgson, along with Francesca Tarrant, Director of Communications at the British Embassy, and Marcela Ochoa, Medellín DBT Officer, had the opportunity to see the impact of our efforts in the community. The day kicked off with a lunch of local cuisine, where football coaches involved in the project shared their inspiring stories of resilience and the positive influence they have on the children they mentor.

A key moment of the visit came when the ambassador toured the foundation’s communication project, where local youth interviewed him in a lively session. It was an incredible example of how the Children of Medellín foundation is helping young people gain skills in media and communication, empowering them to tell their own stories and amplify their voices.

The visit also included an English class, where Ambassador Hodgson and his team participated. The ambassador engaged with the students, witnessing firsthand how access to language learning is opening up new opportunities for these young learners.

The day concluded with a performance from students involved in the foundation’s music project. Their talent and passion for the arts underscored our holistic approach to education—building not just academic skills, but also fostering creativity and confidence in each student.

Ambassador Hodgson shared his admiration for the foundation’s impact, commenting on the enthusiasm and progress of the students. His presence reaffirmed the importance of our work and its positive influence on communities around the world.

As Daniel Saldarriaga, regional sales director at Bayswater Education, noted, “Bayswater Foundation delivered over 28,00 teaching weeks in 2023 and we are growing the number of projects we support globally. Children of Medellín was one of the first projects we supported in 2019 and it was an honour to have the ambassador here to see the impact of the English language programme.”

For every paying student at Bayswater Education, the Bayswater Foundation provides a free week of English language learning to someone less fortunate. This initiative, grounded in the principle of equitable access to education, allows us to give back and make a difference in the lives of young people worldwide.

With continued support from local organisations, we remain committed to bridging the gap between opportunity and circumstance, ensuring that education remains a powerful tool for positive change.