News Story Week 2

"La humilde casa de doña Concepción Velásquez, incrustada en una empinada montaña en el municipio de Sopó, en donde vive hace más de 20 años, quedó como nueva."

http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-4793706

The Humble House of Ms. Concepcion Velasquez, that is located in a steep cliff in the Sopo municipality, where she has lived over 20 years now looks like new. 

This news story, states that Sopó, was recognized as the only municipality in Colombia that is free from extreme poverty*. Concepcion Velasquez and Jesus Maria Pantano, are part of the 46 families that left extreme poverty and are extremely grateful since according to them, now they do not only have a better life style, but they feel they were dignified. This municipality, was a pilot in the strategy against extreme poverty that the Presidential Agency for Social Accion and the National Planning Department have, that seeks to improve life conditions for the most vulnerable communities in Colombia.

The great achievement for Sopo, has  been successful thanks to efforts from the public and the private sector, by facilitating opportunities of education, a more inclusive health care system, different efforts in nutrition, and work training. This demonstrates that Alpina (whose main factory and offices are located in Sopó) have had significant advancements and have been key players in the efforts of educating people in alimentary and nutritional security. Alpina has been a leader in providing educational opportunities for infants who come from lower income districts in Sopó, named “Gimnasio Campestre Alpina”. Fundación Alpina has also an important presence in Sopó with the project “Sopó, a Territory with Alimentary and Nutritional Security” and has worked constantly with the Major’s Office and other entities that work towards socioeconomic development projects in that area.

This is extremely important for Alpina and F.A, since this will bring attention to Sopó, which is a relatively small town, but it will also show a positive image for Alpina, as it shows that they have a social responsible commitment with the community where they work. This could also attract the attention of other companies who are interested in investing in these type of projects and that could work together with Alpina and F.A, and create more of these projects which satisfies Alpina’s willingness of improve the conditions and wellbeing of the communities. Furthermore, the positive publicity in El Tiempo, the most important newspaper in Colombia, can have an international impact and contribute with Alpina’s efforts of expanding to Ecuador, Venezuela and the United States.

*Extreme poverty is defined by the World Bank as the most severe state of poverty, when people cannot satisfy their basic needs such as food, drinkable water, housing, and health. The World Bank states that this occurs when people leave under 1.25 dollars per day.