In 2010, with the leadership of Sister Alba Stella Barreto, we were able to make the dream of having a space to develop artistic abilities and transform lives in the Aguablanca district of Cali a reality, by implementing a successful public-private alliance which raised five million dollars to build Tecnocentro Cultural Somos Pacífico (“We are the Pacific” Technocenter).
The original joint project launched by the Alvaralice Foundation, Paz y Bien, Comfandi and the Mayor’s Office of the city of Cali, marked the beginning of the public-private alliance. An official ceremony to lay the cornerstone became a symbol of hope for inhabitants of Potrero Grande neighborhood.
From the opening ceremony to celebration of the first decade of operations in 2023, 4452 inhabitants of Commune 21 – including children, youth and adults – have visited the Technocenter, which has 509 direct beneficiaries and 3943 indirect beneficiaries. Creative industries, dance, music and art have become opportunities for growth and reduction of inequality gaps.
In addition to promoting art and culture, the Technocenter has significantly changed lives, as described by Mauricio Velazco, “This space changed my life completely. I am a different person thanks to it. It has changed me and many others in our neighborhood.” Tecnocentro Cultural Somos Pacífico (“We are the Pacific” Technocenter) has become a cultural icon and is one of the Foundation’s most important projects in its twenty-year history, because of both its positive impact on inhabitants, and its contribution to art and culture in eastern Cali.