First Step Big Step aims to contribute to early childhood development in Colombia through public-private partnerships. It operates El Caracoli, an early childhood development center in Yumbo, Colombia, and administers community childcare programs. El Caracoli provides education, nutrition, healthcare and other services to vulnerable young children. First Step Big Step seeks to scale this model to reach more children and support their development and future opportunities.

1. Mission
Contribute to the early child
development of Colombian children
living in vulnerable conditions.
Vision
Contribute to the development of a
generation of citizens capable of growing
Colombia into a developed country with
significantly increased economic
opportunity for all.
Strategy
Lead a plan to invest in comprehensive early childhood development through
public-private cooperation that inspires and engages support for Colombia’s
children and families. We are building alliances among the business sector,
individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities in order to
establish sustainable child development centers that enrich development and
learning for children from zero to five years of age.
f o r t h e f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s
www.firststepbigstep.org

2. Who We Are
First Step Big Step (FSBS) was founded in
Florida in 2008 as a nonprofit (501-c-3)
organization. In 2010 FSBS started El Caracoli, in
YumboValle del Cauca a region of Cali, Colombia,
with an alliance between Smurfit Carton de
Colombia Foundation. El Caracoli is now a highly
successful early childhood development center,
the first aligned with the national policy “From
Zero to Forever”in the region.
The Board of Directors of FSBS is comprised
principally of Colombians residing in the United
States and American citizens interested in
Colombia, including business people, educators
and people with experience in third-sector
organizations.

3. FSBS 2015 Objective
This year we will complete the final phase of
construction at El Caracoli, allowing us to reach 400
children. Outside of El Caracoli we administer the
operation of “Hogares Comunitarios” throughout the
region ofYumbo, it is with this program that we see our
growth in the short term. Our mission is to continue
our expansion based on the sustainable model we
have built. We strive to impact the lives of as many
children possible living in extreme poverty.
A Comprehensive Aproach that Works
First Step Big Step understands that successful childhood development is a
comprehensive approach which includes nutrition, health, sanitation, and juridical
protection.
El Caracoli offers children up to 5 years, a program that teaches the social and
educational tools needed to become proactive members of the community in
accordance with policy guidelines and Government Policy, which combines the efforts
of various sectors, thus ensuring the fulfillment of their basic needs, protection,
upbringing, and development.
Local Leadership
El Caracoli was
incorporated as an
independent
not-for-profit
organization under
Colombian law on June 9,
2010 in the municipality
of Yumbo, Valle del
Cauca. FSBS helped
recruit a local Board of
Directors and leadership
team at El Caracoli.

4. The Center’s diverse group of professionals:
• An advisory team of professionals in the fields of health, nutrition,
language (speech therapy), pre-school pedagogy and psychology.
• A team of head teachers and assistants with training, knowledge and
experience in early childhood development.
• An interdisciplinary team of teachers certified in the fields of art,
biology, mathematics, library, music and movement. It also includes a
coordinator, director and administrative and service personnel.
How El Caracoli does it?
• Teachings are done in small groups
• A school year from January to December
• An 8-hour school day
• Two nutritious meals a day
• Certified Teachers
• Growth and development assessment for each child monitored
by a professional team.

5. Evaluation and Impact Measurement Program
The results of this early intervention are in the process of being measured and
evaluated from the beginning. In this way, we will be able to measure the social
impact of intervention at the family and community level. Evaluation will be
conducted by experts in the field and supported by academic institutions and
international foundations. FSBS is committed to going beyond“good intentions”to
use evaluation and ongoing metrics as tools of continuous improvement. Currently
evaluation is under the auspices of the University del Valle in Cali, Colombia.

6. Key Players for Funding
• Local Corporation: The Smurfit Kappa Cartón de Colombia Foundation (FSCC) is the
lead corporate sponsor for El Caracoli.
• US Based Support: First Step Big Step provided seed funding, and capital investment
for El Caracoli and is leading the replication efforts in alliance with partners. FSBS is also the
International fundraising and awareness vehicle for El Caracoli.
• Public Welfare Insititution: Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF). ICBF is a
decentralized social welfare institution funded by the government and private sector. ICBF
works for the development and comprehensive protection of infancy, childhood, adolescence
and welfare of Colombian families. ICBF funds a percentage of El Caracoli’s operational costs
today and in the future.
• Government: La Agencia Presidencial de Cooperación Internacional de Colombia (APC).
The APC, is a special Presidential Fund that matches private donations raised outside Colombia
for educational purposes. Gifts and grants for capital construction and equipment will be
matched dollar for dollar!
Your Donations will be Tax Deductible in the United States. We are a non-profit organization
approved as 501(C) (3) given by the Internal Revenue Service ID # 20-8408885
It is many hands together that contribute to El Caracoli, it’s continued growth, and
sustainability. Private contributions and individuals like you make it all possible!
Contribute to the physical, social,
emotional, and cognitive
development of the most
vulnerable children in Colombia,
your donation is the first step.
www.semillasdegigantes.org
Semillas de
Gigantes

7. Reality in the Municipality
of Yumbo, Cali, Colombia
• 52% of children in Latin America live in conditions of poverty.
• In Colombia, of the five million children between the ages of zero and five
years, 62% have no access to any type of early childhood development
opportunities.1
• There are approximately 11,100 children between the ages zero and five living
in Yumbo 2
, 42% are living under the poverty line3
.
• The community of Yumbo has little awareness of themes related to early
education and has a very low participation rate in educational activities.
1
Colombia, National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). (2013). Population estimation and projection of national, departmental and municipal
from 1985 to 2020.
2 Colombian Ministry of Social Protection, and Profamilia. (2010). National Poll of Demographic and Health. Bogota, Colombia
3 Colombia, National Planning Department - DNP. (2010). Multidimensional poverty index. Figures by municipality and Department IPM 2005.

8. www.FirstStepBigStep.org
El Caracoli - Cali, Colombia
Maria-Elisa Korgi
Executive Director
Calle 6 Nte #3B-23
Yumbo, Valle del Cauca - Colombia
Tel: (+057 2) 669-4579 | (+057 2) 669-5693
First Step Big Step - New York, U.S.A
Mercedes Fernandez
Executive Director
220 East 65th St
New York, NY 10065
Tel: (646) 241-5930
Email: mfernandez@fiststepbigstep.org