Where Do the Children of Bolívar Go After School?

Introduction: Three in the Afternoon in the Bolívar Neighborhood

It's 3:15 PM in the Bolívar neighborhood, Santa Marta. The sun is still beating down hard, but the noise of children leaving the IE Liceo Bolívar and the IE San José can already be heard. Some run straight home, others stay on the corners, and several more gather on the shady sidewalks of Carrera 22. The question few ask out loud, but that all the neighbors know, is: where do they go after the bell rings?

This report is not a typical tourist guide. It is a journey through the streets of a neighborhood that, like many in Santa Marta, has more needs than parks. There are no cultural centers with air conditioning here, nor public libraries with extended hours. What there are are improvised soccer fields, corner stores that function as unofficial daycare centers, and a community that, through sheer ingenuity, tries to care for its children during the most critical hours of the day.

According to data from the Santa Marta District Education Secretariat (as of June 2026), the Bolívar neighborhood concentrates one of the highest school dropout rates in commune 4, especially in grades from transition to fifth grade of primary school. The lack of safe spaces after the school day is a factor that teachers point to as critical.

The Routine of a Typical Child in the Bolívar Neighborhood

To understand what happens to children after classes, you have to walk the neighborhood at that time. Doña María, a shopkeeper on Calle 14 with Carrera 21, says that for five years her business has become a kind of "way station." "About eight or ten children come, they buy a 500-peso juice and stay here until their mom gets off work. It's not ideal, but at least they are in the shade and not on the street," she says while serving a pandebono.

The pattern repeats in several stores in the area. The children, between 5 and 12 years old, spend between two and four hours without formal adult supervision. Some do homework on the sidewalks, others play soccer with deflated balls on Calle 13, and the older ones usually gather near the linear park on Carrera 20, a space that promised to be a green lung but today has more holes than benches.

The School Day and Its Gaps

Most children in the Bolívar neighborhood attend a single or morning shift. This means they leave between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. For families where both parents work (or there is a single parent), this schedule is a problem. "My son gets out at 1:30 and I get home at 6 in the evening. I have no one to leave him with. Sometimes he stays with the neighbor, but she has her own things too," says Carlos, a construction worker and father of two, while waiting for the bus at the Avenida del Río stop.

The lack of formal options — such as community kitchens with extended hours, art workshops, or homework clubs — pushes children to occupy their time with whatever they find. And what they find, often, are unlit streets, vacant lots, and corners where micro-trafficking is a constant temptation.

What to Do: Real vs. Formal Recreation Spaces

If you Google "children's parks Bolívar neighborhood Santa Marta," the results are scarce. The reality on the ground is more complex. Here we map out the places where children actually spend their time, both formal and improvised.

Formal Spaces (With Limitations)

Linear park on Carrera 20: Inaugurated in 2021 as part of a public space recovery plan, this park has a multi-purpose court, some exercise machines, and a small children's play area. However, neighbors report that the swing tires have been broken for months, and that the nighttime lighting does not work on most of the poles. "It's a shame, because the children come, but by 6 in the evening you can't see anything," says Jorge, a physical education teacher at Liceo Bolívar.

Court at IE Liceo Bolívar: During the school day, the court is a supervised space. But after 3 PM, access is restricted. Only on weekends, when there are tournaments organized by the Community Action Board, is it open to the public. "It's a missed opportunity. It could be a space for guided recreation if there were volunteers," Jorge adds.

Community hall of the Bolívar neighborhood: Located on Calle 12 with Carrera 20, this hall is used for board meetings and sporadic events. It has no fixed programs for children after school. "Sometimes people from City Hall come to do painting workshops, but it's once a month and they don't give notice in advance," comments Luz Marina, president of the Community Action Board.

Real Spaces (Improvised but Active)

The corner of the "El Hueco" store (Carrera 21 with Calle 13): This spot is the unofficial epicenter of childhood in the neighborhood. Children sit on the edge of the sidewalk, play "stop" or "freeze tag," and buy candies for 100 pesos. There is no shade, but there is activity. "It's better for them to be here than on the hill, where motorcycles speed by," says the shopkeeper.

The vacant lot on Calle 14: An undeveloped plot of land, surrounded by houses, that children have turned into an improvised soccer field. The goals are stones and the floor is dirt. "We play every day until it gets dark. Sometimes a man comes to tell us to leave, but there's nowhere else," says Andrés, 10 years old, while kicking a worn-out ball.

The stairs on Avenida del Río: Near the pedestrian bridge that connects to downtown, there is a wide staircase where older children sit to do homework or look at someone's cell phone. "It's not safe, because at that time many cars pass by and people don't respect the crosswalk," warns Lucía, mother of two girls.

Where to Eat or Drink: Options for Children After School

Child nutrition after the school day is another critical issue. Many children do not eat lunch at school (the school feeding program covers only a morning snack), so they arrive home hungry. But there is not always prepared food. These are the real options that exist in the neighborhood.

Corner Stores with Budget-Friendly Options

"La 14" Store (Carrera 21 with Calle 12): Sells empanadas for 1,500 pesos, pandebonos for 1,000, and bagged juices for 500. It is the most popular option. "The children come with 2,000 or 3,000 pesos that their mom gives them. With that, they buy two empanadas and a juice," says the owner.

"El Trigal" Bakery (Calle 13 with Carrera 20): Offers cheese or ham-filled breads from 1,200 pesos. They also sell boxed milk. It is a cleaner place than the store, but the prices are slightly higher. "Few children come, because most don't have money to spend here," comments the baker.

Fruit stand on the corner of Carrera 22: A lady sells peeled mangoes, papaya, and watermelon in cups for 1,000 pesos. "It's the healthiest thing they find. But she only comes when it's very hot," she says.

Community Kitchens (When They Work)

There is a community kitchen on Calle 11 with Carrera 19, run by an evangelical church. It offers lunch from Monday to Friday, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, for a symbolic cost of 1,500 pesos. However, the schedule does not cover school dismissal (which is after 2:30 PM). "Children who manage to arrive before 2 eat, but those who leave late get nothing," explains Pastor Miguel, in charge of the kitchen.

Another kitchen, on Calle 15 with Carrera 18, operates only on Saturdays. "It's not enough, but it's what there is," says Luz Marina.

How to Get Around: Child Mobility in the Neighborhood

The Bolívar neighborhood is not large, but it has steep slopes and unpaved streets in some areas. Children walk long distances to get to school and back home. Formal public transportation (buses and mototaxis) is expensive for low-income families.

Most Used Pedestrian Routes

From IE Liceo Bolívar to the upper part (Calles 10 to 15): Children go down Carrera 21, a road with moderate traffic. There are no sidewalks in several sections. "Cars go fast and children walk on the street. We have asked for speed bumps, but nothing happens," says Jorge.

From IE San José to Avenida del Río: It is a longer route, about a 15-minute walk. Children cross Carrera 20, which is a main road. "There is no pedestrian traffic light near the school. Children have to dodge cars," he adds.

Mototaxis: The Emergency Option

Some families pay for a mototaxi to pick up the children, especially if it rains. The trip costs between 2,000 and 3,000 pesos per ride. "It's not safe, but it's fast. I prefer to pay that than for my child to get wet or run over," says Rosa, mother of three.

Mototaxi drivers usually wait at the school gates. There is no specific regulation for the transport of minors, and drivers do not always have a helmet for the child.

Interview with a Teacher: The Silent School Dropout

We spoke with Jorge Martínez, a math teacher at IE Liceo Bolívar for 12 years. Jorge knows most of the families in the neighborhood and has seen how the lack of spaces after school affects academic performance.

Q: What is the main problem you see with children after the school day?

A: "The lack of supervision. Children arrive home and there is no one there. They stay on the street, watch TV, or get into trouble. I have had students who stop coming because they lose interest. It's not that they are bad students, it's that they don't have a place to do homework or someone to motivate them."

Q: Have you seen cases of school dropout related to this?

A: "Yes, several. Last year, three fifth-grade children stopped attending. The mothers work downtown or in family homes, and the children are left alone. At 11 or 12 years old, they are already tempted to look for easy money. One of them now sells candy at the market. It's not that he's lost, but he failed the year."

Q: What would you propose to improve the situation?

A: "We need a day center, even if it's small. A place where children can go after school, do homework, play supervised, and get a meal. It doesn't have to be from the government; it can be from the community. But there is a lack of organization and resources."

Contrast with the Cultural Offerings of Downtown Santa Marta

Just 15 minutes by bus from the Bolívar neighborhood, downtown Santa Marta offers a very different reality. The Banco de la República Public Library, the Museo del Oro Tairona, and the Casa de la Cultura have free workshops for children: storytelling, crafts, music. But almost no child from the Bolívar neighborhood attends.

"It's a logistical issue," explains Ana, a social worker for a local NGO. "The workshops are in the morning or afternoon, but parents can't take the children because they work. Also, the bus fare costs 2,200 pesos per trip. For a family with two children, that's almost 9,000 pesos a day. It's not feasible."

The cultural offerings exist, but they are not designed for the realities of the neighborhood. The schedules do not coincide with school dismissal, and the distance (although short in kilometers) is an economic and time barrier.

Community Intervention Proposal from the Community Itself

After talking with neighbors, teachers, and leaders, a recurring idea emerges: a "safe afternoons" program that operates from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, in the community hall or on the Liceo Bolívar court. The proposal does not require large investments, but organization.

How Would It Work?

• Local volunteers: Retired mothers, pedagogy students from the Universidad del Magdalena, and young people from the neighborhood who want to help with homework and games.
• Community snack: Donations from neighborhood stores and support from the Community Action Board to prepare something simple (a glass of oatmeal and a bread roll).
• Rotating activities: Monday soccer, Tuesday crafts, Wednesday reading, Thursday music, Friday outdoor movies.
• Extended hours: Until 6:00 PM, so parents can pick up the children after work.

The Community Action Board has already expressed interest. "If we get 10 regular volunteers, we can start in a month," says Luz Marina. "What's missing is for people to be encouraged to participate."

Local Tips for Parents and Caregivers

If you live in the Bolívar neighborhood or work with children in the area, these tips can help you navigate the daily reality:

• Establish a trust network: Talk to other parents in the neighborhood to take turns caring for the children after school. A WhatsApp group can coordinate who picks up the children each day.
• Use public spaces with caution: The linear park on Carrera 20 is safe during the day, but avoid low-light hours. Bring a flashlight if you go at dusk.
• Take advantage of free workshops downtown: If you can, organize a "weekly outing" with several children to go to the Banco de la República Library. The bus costs 2,200 pesos, but if you go as a group, you can negotiate a rate with a mototaxi driver.
• Involve children in cooking: If there is no prepared food, teach them to prepare something simple like rice with egg. It is a skill that keeps them busy and safe.
• Report damaged spaces: If you see broken swings or lack of lighting, report it to the City Hall line (195) or the Community Action Board. A collective complaint carries more weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any City Hall program for children after school in the Bolívar neighborhood?

Currently, the Santa Marta City Hall has the "Learning Afternoons" program in some communes, but it does not regularly cover the Bolívar neighborhood. It is recommended to ask at the Education Secretariat (Calle 16 with Carrera 3) or call the citizen service line 195 to find out if there are scheduled mobile workshop dates.

How can I enroll my child in a community kitchen in the neighborhood?

The community kitchen on Calle 11 with Carrera 19 (evangelical church) does not require formal enrollment. Just arrive before 2:00 PM and pay 1,500 pesos for lunch. For the Saturday kitchen, check with the Community Action Board (they meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the community hall).

Is there a WhatsApp group for parents in the Bolívar neighborhood to coordinate childcare?

Yes, there is an unofficial group called "Vecinos Bolívar Cuidando Niños." You can join by asking at the "La 14" store or directly from the president of the Community Action Board, Luz Marina, who usually shares the link at meetings. The group has more than 50 members and is used to coordinate care shifts and share information about free workshops.

Call to Action: If you are a neighbor of Bolívar, act now

The Bolívar neighborhood has more children than parks, but it also has more solidarity than indifference. If you live here, if you work with children, if you are a teacher, or if you simply care about the future of this community, you can do something today.

Write to the Community Action Board (ask at the community hall on Calle 12 with Carrera 20) or share this report on your social media with the hashtag #TardesSegurasBolívar. The idea of a safe afternoons program is not a distant dream: it is a real possibility if we organize ourselves. As Jorge, the teacher, says: "We don't need a new building. We need people who are willing to step up."