The Best Formula Nuevo Armero

Sector: Commune 8

The tragedy of Armero, caused by the avalanche of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in 1985, signified serious changes in the capital of Tolima, because hundreds of survivors arrived in Ibagué looking to reestablish the minimal conditions of a suitable life. One of the places where the greatest number of people from Armero concentrated was precisely the eight commune, that currently has about 65,000 inhabitants. This commune of the city of Ibagué is made up of twelve (12) neighborhoods, including Nuevo Armero, this big neighborhood in which 5,529 people live.
It is important to remember that people displaced by the violence of the 50’s already lived in this commune; so did people that were relocated there by the municipal administration, given that they lived in high risk zones in other communes of the city. Housing plans for reinserted combatants (reinsertados) of the M-19 guerrilla movement were also promoted in this sector.

Description of the Project Nuevo Armero

This project was inaugurated on February 17, 2006. It is the result of joint the work of the Formula Smiles Foundation in the Nuevo Armero neighborhood and other neighborhoods that are a part of the eight commune. Supported with the experience of the Recreation and Sports Group of the city, we have accomplished promoting social development in the neighborhood, generating positive changes when it comes to lifestyle and decreasing conflict through the healthy use of free time in Educational, Athletic, and Recreational activities.  
These activities take place in a setting adequate for the program. It counts with a multi-sport court, a soccer field in sand, and the necessary equipment for the best development of the different sports and activities directed by the three teachers hired by the Foundation, who are permanently in the project.

Strategic Alliances:

Communal Action (Acción communal) of the Nuevo Armero neighborhood, Mayor’s Office of Ibagué and the Institution of Recreation and Sports of the city (Instituto de Recreación y Deporte de la ciudad -IDRD).

Work Areas in the Project:

Educational: Directed classes of Physical Education to the Institutions:

• Educational Institution Alberto Castilla
• Educational Institution Raíces del Futuro

Athletic: Schools of Athletic Formation were created in:

• Soccer (Feminine and Masculine)
• Basketball
• Futsal

Recreational: Activities that are carried out with the community:

• Tournaments in different athletic disciplines. 
• Athletic and recreational festivals
• Observation contests 
• Athletic races 

Number of benefited population:   

Data taken from the December  2008 project report.
Benefits of the program in the community

• Strengthening of the values of the beneficiaries. 
• Increase in schooling due to the interest in the Physical Education classes.
• Improvement in the relationships among the street inhabitants. 
• Employment generation.
• Decreasing violence indexes.
• Development of new life expectations for the children.
• Interest for healthy competition. 

Benefits of sports in the children

• Introduces the kid to society given that it teaches him/her to follow rules.
• Teaches him/her to overcome shyness or stop excessive impulses.
• Teaches him/her to collaborate more and be less individualistic, given that he will have to respect the rules, turns, and authority.
• Teaches him/her to have responsibilities and obligations to fulfill.
• General increase of coordinated movements.
• Increases growth. 
• Can correct possible physical defects.
• Stimulates hygiene and health