Socioeducational program for teenagers in prisons

This year, our work reminded us (once again) why education matters,especially in the most challenging contexts.

Through Enseña Uruguay’s Puentes Educativos (Bridges to Education) program, we successfully reached 150 adolescents deprived of liberty, creating meaningful learning spaces where opportunity often feels distant. One of the most powerful milestones of the year was the creation and publication of “Un Puente a la Aventura” (A Bridge to Adventure), a book written by adolescents in detention.

Designed as a “traveling notebook,” the book moved between detention centers, allowing students to write, draw, imagine, and build on each other’s ideas. The result was a collective literary work with 17 possible endings, shaped by the voices, memories, and creativity of its young authors. For many, it was the first time their words were written, read, and truly valued.

More than a book, Un Puente a la Aventura became a powerful act of ownership and self-expression. It invited students to reconnect with the joy of learning, to see themselves as authors of stories—on the page and in their lives.

The project culminated in a public celebration at the Legislative Palace, where families, educators, and community partners came together to honor the authors. It was a moment of recognition, dignity, and hope—proof that education, creativity, and collective effort can open new pathways toward reintegration and opportunity.

Thanks to the continued support of our donors, these bridges are not just built—they are crossed.