Prosegur Foundation's Piecitos Colorados Schools: Transformative Volunteering and Educational Development

Madrid, December 05, 2023.- Created in 2006 to improve the education and quality of life of children from vulnerable environments, the Prosegur Foundation’s Piecitos Colorados stands out as one of the Spanish corporate sector’s pioneering development cooperation programs. Driven on the ground by the commitment of the company's volunteers, it has helped more than 10,000 children in Latin America, and owes its sustainability and impact to joint responsibility and solid collaboration between families, the educational community and Prosegur. 

The initiative arose from the sense of solidarity of a group of Prosegur employees in Argentina, aware that many rural schools often lacked basic resources, while students had to walk for hours to attend classes. A local support movement began, whose impact led the Prosegur Foundation to professionalize the program and extend it to other countries in the region, reflecting its philosophy that education is the true motor of change in society.

The Piecitos Colorados model is based on phased, integrated intervention (infrastructure, nutritional training, educational improvement and sports), with volunteers playing a key role in mentoring children through essential aspects of their development. 

Mercedes Borbolla, Director of the Prosegur Foundation, explains: “The close involvement of the staff in the program gives Piecitos a unique character. Our professionals can propose schools and get involved in the work teams. Volunteering is an essential part of the program that benefits Prosegur employees as well as the communities that have tangible support close to hand to promote their development and build a better future.”  

Piecitos Colorados and Prosegur's corporate volunteering have evolved over time, adapting to the changing needs of the communities they serve. Initially, activities focused on building improvements, then came the educational phase, with volunteers  sharing knowledge and experiences with students. Then, in 2020, the pandemic prompted a new approach: online volunteering to accompany and mentor scholarship students to prevent them from dropping out of school.

Selena Vázquez, a training and development analyst in Paraguay, says that being a mentor gave her the opportunity to share her knowledge and experiences with upcoming professionals in my community: “I discovered that genuine interest in learning about other people's lives, the challenges they face, and helping them to enhance their skills." 

In order to strengthen 21st century skills in schools, Prosegur volunteers address key issues such as improving reading skills, learning new technologies, understanding the potential of entrepreneurship and developing their creativity through art. Volunteers attend training days delivered by specialized partners. 

"Piecitos Colorados has allowed me to help strengthen communities, as well as to understand that education is fundamental in driving transformation in society; values that I share with the volunteers and my own family. Every activity we carry out at the school is an opportunity to grow personally and strengthen team spirit," says Armando Pimiento, branch manager in Bucaramanga, Colombia. 

With the support of professional volunteers, Piecitos Colorados continues to extend Prosegur's social footprint in Latin and Central America: this year, three new schools in Colombia, Ecuador and Honduras have been added to the centers already affiliated to the program, making 39 educational institutions in eight countries, to the benefit of more than 5,400 students.