Marina Orth Foundation

The Marina Orth Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing the educational experience of children from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly in Colombia. The foundation is dedicated to promoting sustainable development goals through education.

Mission

The foundation focuses on providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, along with humanities, to empower students with skills necessary for the 21st century. It emphasizes the development of STEM, bilingualism, and leadership skills. One of its core objectives is to bridge the digital divide by integrating technology-focused curricula for students in underserved communities.

Programs and Impact

The Marina Orth Foundation offers a range of educational programs, including STEM+H education, English language proficiency, research, and robotics. It also trains teachers to implement innovative teaching methods, fostering collaborative learning environments and community involvement. Over 8,000 students in and around Medellin, Colombia, have benefited from these initiatives. The organization also engages the community by teaching English to all age groups and partners with entities like Microsoft in programs like SparkTIC to teach coding and employable computer skills to young adults.

History and Founding

The foundation was established by Maureen Orth, an award-winning journalist and former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Colombia from 1964 to 1966. Motivated by her experiences, she established the foundation to empower disadvantaged children. In 2005, at the request of the Secretary of Education of Medellin, she formally launched the organization with the goal of making its students competitive in the 21st century.

Recognition

Maureen Orth has received numerous accolades for her work, including an award from Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in 2015. The foundation itself serves as a model for innovative educational initiatives, particularly those that integrate technology and language skills to support socioeconomically vulnerable students.