ALZA's Mission & Impact
What does the Spanish word "Alza" translate to in English?
"To rise" or "to lift".
What demographic group in Colombia faces the highest poverty rates?
Young women (specifically Afro-Colombian women)
What is the name of Cartagena's yellow clock tower gate?
Torre del Reloj (The Clock Tower)
What is the official currency used across Colombia?
The Colombian Peso (COP).
How many active students are currently supported by ALZA?
10
Under what U.S. IRS tax code section is ALZA registered?
501(c)(3) (or Section 170)
What % of Afro-Colombian families live in lowest socioeconomic tiers (Estratos 1 and 2)?
86%
Which nearby island supported by ALZA is nicknamed the "forgotten island"?
Tierra Bomba
What round, flat cornmeal cake is Colombia's beloved national food?
Arepa.
To date, what is the success rate of applicants in our student selection interviews?
85.7%
What language program does ALZA sponsor alongside university scholarships?
Language learning (English and now French)
One semester of private university tuition equals how many months of minimum wage?
3 to 5 months of income.
What is the name of the iconic, fruit-carrying women of Cartagena?
Las Palenqueras.
What 2021 Disney movie is set in a magical Colombian valley?
Encanto
How many students are about to graduate at the end of 2026?
2
What are the five core values of the ALZA Foundation?
Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Excellence, and Student-Centered Support.
What % of Colombian public school students graduate with B1 English?
1%
In what year was the colonial city of Cartagena officially founded?
1533 (on June 1st).
What massive Colombian celebration is the world's second-largest carnival?
The Barranquilla Carnival.
In what two communities did ALZA first offer grassroots English classes?
Tierra Bomba and La Boquilla.
In which U.S. state was the ALZA Foundation officially incorporated?
North Carolina.
What % of the Afro-Colombian population accesses higher education?
26% (2024 DANE study)
What proud nickname is Cartagena known by across Colombia?
La Heroica (The Heroic City).
What African-rooted music style originated in Cartagena in the 1980s?
Champeta.
What is the second most reputable private university in Cartagena where we currently have two brilliant scholars enrolled?
Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez (or just "Rafael Núñez").