Carlos Henriquez

Colombian social entrepreneur who built Latin America's largest network of community schools

Carlos Henriquez (b. 1978) transformed education access in Colombia through his Crecer Foundation, establishing 120 community schools in conflict zones since 2005. His 'Schools in the Mountains' initiative provides free education to 20,000+ children in rural areas, integrating STEM education with cultural preservation. Henriquez's model inspired similar programs in Guatemala and Peru, reaching 50,000+ students regionally.

His 'Teachers Without Borders' program trains educators in conflict resolution and bilingual education, with 80% of graduates staying in underserved communities. Henriquez's partnership with UNICEF expanded access to digital learning tools, reaching 150 schools during the pandemic. His memoir Building Schools in the Shadows (2020) details his journey. Henriquez received the Global Education Prize in 2021 for his work.