The morning in Coromoro unfolded in a different atmosphere at the Rafael León Amaya Agricultural Technical School. Display cases, drafting tables, bookcases, desks, and chairs began to be set up in the hallways and classrooms; more than just furniture, these items represent new possibilities for the students and teachers at this institution, which educates young people from the rural areas of Santander.
The visit by the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) to the municipality was no ordinary one. Amid the school routine, the arrival of the furniture generated excitement among teachers, students, and parents, who see these items as an opportunity to improve the spaces where knowledge is built every day.
The delivery is part of the “Responsible Donations” program, an initiative through which the university seeks to share resources and strengthen educational institutions in different regions of the department, especially those that play a key role in the education of new rural generations.
At the school, which serves students from the urban area and several rural branches within the municipality, the new furniture will help create better learning environments. Display cases, work tables, wooden units, laminate bookcases, and ergonomic chairs will help ensure that classes take place in spaces that are more organized, comfortable, and functional.
The impact goes beyond the material
María Fernanda Colmenares López, the school’s coordinator, highlighted the value of the support the university has provided to the educational community.
“For our institution, the collaboration that the Industrial University of Santander has provided to our school and our rural campuses is of great importance, because all this furniture has allowed us to create spaces that enhance the learning experience for our students—our children and young people. Likewise, all the support and information they provided to students in grades 9, 10, and 11 to help them plan for a college career are experiences that are worth their weight in gold for our young people.”
The students are also noticing the change. Clayder Quintero Ardila, an eleventh-grader, explained that having better conditions directly influences the way young people engage with education.
“As a student, I consider these donations very important, since this school brings together both urban and rural communities. We have ten rural campuses and the main one, which is Campus A. Having furniture that supports us and makes learning more comfortable brings us closer to education rather than pushing us away, because we feel comfortable, and that encourages learning.”
Among those in attendance were also several parents, who see these efforts as a boost for their children’s education and for the future of the municipality. Aida Arias, a mother and UIS alumna, expressed her gratitude for the initiative.
“On behalf of the school’s students, we are very grateful for the partnership between the Industrial University of Santander and the municipality of Coromoro, as well as with Rafael León Amaya School. We appreciate the donation of desks and all the furniture. This helps improve the quality of education in our institutions and supports our children’s development. For me, as a UIS graduate, I am proud that our university has become involved in the development and education of our children.”
Faculty members also emphasize the value of this donation for their daily teaching work. Professor Solangeline Isabel Ortega explained that the new supplies will improve conditions at both the main campus and the schools in the municipality.
“It is vitally important for us to have the supplies that have been so generously donated to our institution and to the various schools we have in the municipality. This ensures that students have better resources, are more motivated to learn, and can enjoy comfortable and safe learning environments.”
Through initiatives like this, the UIS remains committed to the communities of the department, extending its impact beyond university classrooms and supporting educational efforts aimed at training rural leaders, strengthening agricultural development, and opening new opportunities for the generations growing up in the Santanderean countryside.
