The “Little Books of Hope” series served as the inspiration behind the Rally Schools for a Sustainable Future, later renamed the Continental Rally. Featuring Esperanza and Ojopelao’s friends as the main characters, these books aimed to cultivate leadership in sustainability and disaster risk reduction among future generations.

Raising an Interamerican Heritage* from scratch!

The inspiring story of the Vive con Esperanza Foundation has its roots in the character of Esperanza, a brave dove who stars in the Little Books of Hope Series. Created by psychologist Fernando García García and narrated by Rocío Galvis Guerrero for their children, this series aims to prepare children from an early age for the challenges of the world that awaits them.

The narrative begins with the sad loss of Esperanza, after humans destroyed the forest where she and her family lived with their friends: Ojopelao, the hummingbird; Saggy, the tile; Silvio, the owl; Lilo, the parakeet; Carla, the parrot; and Omar, the canary. Although her parents, Pepe and Maye, give her up for dead, her friends embark on a brave search and discover with astonishment that Esperanza has arrived in the city and can communicate with humans.

This group of birds sees in this ability an opportunity to teach children the wisdom of nature, encouraging them to become leaders who promote harmonious coexistence with the environment, face adversity, and take responsibility for repairing the damage caused. Esperanza decides to impart lessons of resilience to them, involving them in an exciting race against time and for life, which they call the Rally.

The story of Esperanza and her friends came to light at the XXV International Book Fair of Bogotá in 2012, and from there the project of the Schools Rally for Sustainable Future is born, which will later be called: The Continental Rally.
First photo taken of the Rally action, initially developed in colombian schools. In the picture, participating boys and girls in “My Garden of Hope” action, dressed as Esperanza and Ojopelao at the Los Araujos Megacollege in Montería, Colombia 2012, who were planting vegetables inside recycled notebooks.
 

Schools with Sustainable Future Rally starts!

On March 15, 2013, Liz Thompson, a prominent leader of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20, praised the Schools Rally project as an interesting and valuable initiative. This led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to become the first jury and support its dissemination starting the following year.

Subsequently, UNESCO, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction joined as jurors, consolidating the Continental Rally as a significant international event.

With the participation of 439 schools in 2014, the Continental Rally began to stand out for the remarkable contribution of schools and the commitment of various supporting organizations.
In the photo, a students from the EST 67 in Mexico City, Mexico during the action the “More trees, more hope” in the Continental Rally 2014.
 

Our first Rally on 2014!

Highlighting the need to act in favor of the environment and the community, the Rally inspired schools to address challenges such as reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles. Schools like EST 67 in Mexico led the way in tackling demanding challenges, such as planting 10,000 trees, demonstrating the power of teamwork and dedication.

In addition to the environmental impact, the Rally fostered collaboration among schools and supporting organizations throughout the region. With its initial success, the Rally proved to be much more than a competition: it became a catalyst for positive change across Latin America and the Caribbean, uniting schools in their shared commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future. See here the 2014 edition, accountability report here.

In the photo, a student of the School of Science from Huanuco, Perú involve local authorities to support youth actions in the Continental Rally 2016.
 

2016 Rally, Innovation that raise youth leadership and empowerment.

The 2016 Continental Rally marked a milestone in national engagement and the awakening of youth leadership across the hemisphere. With the participation of thousands of schools (5239), this event was not just a competition but a call to action for new generations.

Costa Rica's Minister of Public Education, Sonia Mora Escalante, and other government leaders as Carlos Canjura Linares from El Salvador and Marcelo Mena from Chile came together to support the Rally, recognizing its importance for the region's future.

Peru stood out as an example of commitment and dedication, with schools from across the country actively participating in the Rally's challenges. From Disaster Risk Reduction actions and tree planting to promoting sustainable lifestyles, Peruvian students demonstrated their passion for positive change.

The closing of the Rally in Peru was an unforgettable experience, with an exciting ceremony that brought together students, teachers, and international leaders. In an atmosphere of celebration and hope, the hard work and dedication of all participants were recognized, inspiring everyone to continue on the path towards a more resilient future for all. See the Accountability Report of the 2016 Continental Rally here.

In the photo, the Marcus Harvey Gallery in the OAS Main Building in Washington DC, USA. where best digital works from participants of Continental Rally will be held on 28th April, 2025.
 

2024 Continental Rally, Shaping an heritage with creativity and emerging technologies.

In 2024, the participation in the Continental Rally will reach new heights, with schools from across the Americas coming together to showcase their commitment to sustainability and youth leadership. The Rally will feature innovative challenges focused on addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, and promoting sustainable development.

One of the most anticipated events will be the Art Exhibition in Washington D.C. on 28th April 2025, where the Continental Rally and the Vive con Esperanza Award will be declared as Inter-American Heritage. This exhibition will serve as a platform to celebrate the creativity and dedication of young artists and activists who have contributed to the Rally's success.

The exhibition will feature a diverse range of photography and digital artwork, highlighting the themes of sustainable development, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment. Through interactive forums and dialogues with expert panelists, participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights, inspiring others to take action in their communities.

The declaration of the Rally and the Vive con Esperanza Award as Inter-American Heritage will not only recognize their significance but also pave the way for future collaborations and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and resilience across the Americas.