Fishing for Futures

Game empowering Colombian children to imagine a better future for themselves

civic society

challenge

Can we help broaden the horizon of opportunities for children in rural Colombia?

designers

Hannah van Luttervelt

partners

Justice & Peace
Vilma

designers

Hannah van Luttervelt

What do you want to do when you grow up? A question that spurs on the imagination of children the world over. Not necessarily so in Colombia, and even less so for Colombian children living in isolated, rural areas. Their choices for the future are too often laid out on a very limited horizon: become a prostitute if you are a girl, or a soldier if you are a boy. Hannah van Luttervelt and Human Rights Defender Vilma proposed the development of an educational game that empowers children to imagine the narratives of their own lives and futures.

partners

Justice & Peace
Vilma

The problem of unimaginable paths

In rural areas and village communities in Colombia, factors such as the presence of a military base and the measure of isolation from the rest of the country determine the future of the local children. Their opportunities are very limited and the lack of an (imaginable) alternative often steers them in the direction of sex work or service in the military.

The problem of unimaginable paths

In rural areas and village communities in Colombia, factors such as the presence of a military base and the measure of isolation from the rest of the country determine the future of the local children. Their opportunities are very limited and the lack of an (imaginable) alternative often steers them in the direction of sex work or service in the military.

What do you want to do when you grow up? A question that spurs on the imagination of children the world over. Not necessarily so in Colombia, and even less so for Colombian children living in isolated, rural areas. Their choices for the future are too often laid out on a very limited horizon: become a prostitute if you are a girl, or a soldier if you are a boy. Hannah van Luttervelt and Human Rights Defender Vilma proposed the development of an educational game that empowers children to imagine the narratives of their own lives and futures.

The challenges Vilma faces

Vilma is the director and legal representative of a Colombian organisation that promotes and defends children’s rights. The organisation works mostly in high-risk conflict areas of the country and advocates for juvenile justice, children in armed conflict and peace building, rights of indigenous girls and women, and violence against children.

Game of the imagination

During her years of working with Colombian children, Vilma developed an educational methodology that helps them reconnect to the local history and tradition. Hannah proposes to build upon this practice and transform it into a game-like tool. This would invite children to think of a better – or different – future for themselves, making them in turn independent from outside influences. Moreover, the collective nature of the game reinforces the community as a whole.