The inky and talking people of the Pacific Coast of Colombia

This story tells of an innovative literacy programme carried out in the Pacific Coast of Colombia. In contrast to traditional literacy campaigns, which Afro-Caribbean and indigenous people could not identify with, due to the alien nature of the material used that they could not relate to, this project started with local people printing images of objects, places and situations that were part of their communities' life. By researching and creating their own literacy training materials, the people were able to reaffirm their cultural identity, and restore the legitimacy of their communities' stories, folklore and traditions. Concurrently, the TalkWrite Foundation was set up to fundraise and spread the work to new communities. The project created conditions for printed materials to be designed, produced and circulated throughout the region, while strengthening ancestral cultures of the peoples of the Pacific. The work expanded to include local publishing centres furnished with equipment, literacy materials and radio broadcasts.