For as long as we've been in Colombia, The Coca-Cola Company and our independent bottlers have been engaged at the international, national and community levels to support programs that aid children, promote education, and bring relief to the victims of the country’s ongoing internal conflict or civil strife.

Community Involvement

Palabra Clave^TM – Initiated in 2002, Palabra Clave^TM promotes reading and writing in Colombia. It funds educational projects around the country with the purpose of improving reading and writing skills among underprivileged children.

Dividendo por Colombia – Our Company, with eight other companies including Panamco (now FEMSA), created a non-profit organization that has contributed more than U.S. $700,000 towards educational programs for underprivileged Colombians.

Coastal Clean Up – Since 1998, we have sponsored a local version of the Coastal Cleanup event created by the Center for Marine Conservation, of which our Company is a patron.

Junior Achievement/Colombia Emprendedora – In 1998, the company helped to create the local branch of Junior Achievement – Colombia Emprendedora. Through this Company-funded organization, employees have volunteered to give classes in more than 50 public and private schools in Bogotá, teaching children about entrepreneurship and ethical business principles.

1999 Eje Cafetero School Rebuilding – In 1999, we helped rebuild schools destroyed by an earthquake in Eje Cafetero.

1998 Earthquake/2001 Tornado – During several natural disasters, our company has provided transportation and tents, and has donated funding, medicines, water, and other beverages. Such was the case during both the 1998 earthquake and the 2001 tornado in Barranquilla.

Sponsorships

National Recycling Campaigns – We have sponsored and organized several recycling education campaigns in Colombia, designed to teach youngsters how to dispose properly of solid wastes and how to implement recycling programs in their communities.

Dia del Niño – For the last three years, the Company has sponsored the "Dia del Niño" program, launched by the First Lady of the Nation, helping to create "Ludotecas" – educational and recreational libraries for children living in Colombia's poorest communities.

Computadores para Educar – The Company donated more than 60 computers to the government's "Computadores para Educar" program in 2001, created to make Internet technologies and information available to children in Colombia's rural schools.

Copa América – Our Company, as an official sponsor of the Copa América -- the oldest soccer tournament in the world and the second most important sports event in Latin America -- was instrumental in bringing the event to Colombia this year for the first time ever.

Copa America Ball Kids Plan – The company activated this year's Copa America Ball Kids program with a 100 percent community focus. More than 320 Colombian children, chosen through their membership to "Fundación Minuto de Dios" and "Fundación de Amigos del Padre Javier de Nicolo" (two Colombian foundations for underprivileged children), were trained to perform as ball kids during all the Copa matches.

Colombia: Employee Safety
Colombia: Labor Relations
Around the World: Commitment