Welcome to the BKM Learning Centre
Meet Some Of Our Kids
Tania
Tania started with us when she was in first grade. She would bring her homework to The Bridge and struggle through the academic challenges she faced day by day, year by year. None of it came easily and her public school teacher seemed less than encouraging. But Tania maintained discipline and kept plugging away, faithfully attending our program and doing her best to meet all homework assignments. Now, in the 5th grade, Tania is among the top in her class. The same teacher that chastised her in years past, now uses her as a positive example to other students.
Rafael
Rafael arrived at The Bridge at the start of 2023. A Venezuelan refugee, he was quiet, sad, angry and closed off. Within just a few months his entire mood had changed. He seems genuinely happy, smiling and talking more. He participates in devotional times, memorizes scripture verses and, as his school teacher has noticed, has improved significantly in his studies.
Darianis
Darianis is a work in progress having enrolled at the start of 2023. She had few social skills, a rebellious spirit, shouted a lot and had never been to school. Day by day we witness God at work in her life. She smiles often, talks more and with less volume. She’s settling down and starting to study. She always raises her hand to participate in devotions although we’re still waiting for her to answer the question! But perhaps most importantly, she always wants to lead us in prayer.
Dilan
Dilan began our program when he was 5 – the youngest of three brothers who have been in our program. Now in 3rd grade he has advanced from academic difficulties and a lack of behavioral discipline to being a leader. He demonstrates perseverance through difficulties, participates richly in devotional times and encourages others to come to The Bridge.
Betsy
Betsy was one of our students for several years until finishing high school. Way back in our earliest days, Anita would meet with her in a bakery after hours, to continue helping her through her math assignments. In 2022 she served as a teacher at The Bridge demonstrating strong leadership skills in both spirituality and education.
Arturo
Arturo was abandoned by his mother at a young age and rescued by his father and stepmother. Because of this he is not documented and had no schooling prior to coming to The Bridge. Starting with us in 2023 he flies through his studies anxious to make up for lost time and is thrilled to be learning to read!
Valentina
Valentina came to our program after having been diagnosed with cognitive difficulties. At that time, she was struggling to function effectively in the public school system. After several years of our homeschool program she was able to re-enter public education while continuing on with us for homework help. She is currently in 7th grade and receives good grades in all of her subjects.
Andres
Andres, a Venezuelan refugee, began in our homeschool program in 2021. By 2022 he was placed into public school. He continued at The Bridge receiving support not only with his homework but also in coping with the extreme bullying he was experiencing at his new school. Now in 2023, he is among the top seven students in his class.
The Situation
3,000,000 people
in Bogota, Colombia currently live in poverty
Children raised in the poorer sections of the city are often not placed into an overcrowded school system. If they are able to attend school, they frequently have a difficult time keeping up with their studies and completing homework assignments.
Uneducated children have a difficult time attaining a more positive future. Potential employment opportunities are limited. They can end up in the streets, uniting with gangs and turning to crime for personal sustenance.
Our Response
At the BKM Learning Centre (The Bridge), we come alongside children to provide academic assistance before potential limitations for their future occur.
If a child is not enrolled in a school we implement a homeschool program where they can both catch up, keep in stride with, and sometimes surpass their peers who are studying in the public school system. This facilitates a smooth transition into a school when the opportunity presents itself.
If a child is in school, we help them to catch up in any areas where they may have fallen behind. While instilling positive discipline habits, we provide them with the resources necessary to complete homework assignments.
Basing our efforts on what we believe the Word of God calls us to do, BKM helps each child to not only progress academically but also encourages them to choose the path of personal excellence within tenets of Christianity.
Our Belief
We are created in the image of God. Each individual has value and dignity. Our response to the situation is our effort to give value to these children of Bogota as we assist them to Learn, Dream and Become.
Yiseth's Story
Yiseth, whose story is similar to so many children at Bogota Kids Mission learning centre (The Bridge), arrived partway into this year having failed second grade. Her mom had heard about us and hoped we could help.
Yiseth couldn’t read yet and had very few, if any, math skills. She was timid and nervous. Now, ten months later, she’s reading and enthusiastically capable of handling the academic challenges she couldn’t before. She’s confident and has new friends. Even so, memorizing her part in the Christmas video took a lot of work. Yiseth was determined to do it.
Her mother, who is thrilled with her daughter’s progress, brought her the day we were to film. “She knows her line!” she announced with pride and joy. Yiseth did her part well, even though she had been home sick with the flu right before.
Two days after we filmed, Yiseth’s mother came by to sign her daughter up for 2023. She said, “Yiseth hasn’t stopped saying her Bible verse over and over again. And we’ve started reading the Bible together!”