Evelyna Abuchaibe de Daes School: A Legacy for Quality in Education
Date: August 24, 2025
The new district educational institution presents the most modern and best-equipped learning space in the city. It represents a legacy for the development of Barranquilla’s youth.
With her cheeks blushing from the shyness caused by so many cameras and photographs around her, Evelyna Abuchaibe de Daes confessed that she had not left her home in eight years. Now an elderly lady, she spent the best years of her life quietly serving the future, dedicating herself as a mother to other people’s children, mostly concerned with the education of those with the least resources.
On Sunday, in the La Playa district, she went out again to see the school that now bears her name. And it is not just any educational institution—it can be said without hesitation that it is the most modern, setting a new high standard for basic and secondary education in Barranquilla, following its inauguration by the Tecnoglass Foundation and the District.
Christian Daes, COO of Tecnoglass, explained that the company spared no expense to deliver, in just seven months, a modern facility with first-class equipment:
“We gave it everything. Here we are not talking about money; we are talking about what it has. It has more IT capacity than any other school in Barranquilla. It has smart screens, all the tools children need, and it is a comfortable, peaceful place with fresh breezes.”
The school, built between 17th and 19th streets, is set to become the new epicenter of the neighborhood. It can serve 800 students per day, offering 19 classrooms, a laboratory, dining hall, common areas, a multipurpose court, and other fully equipped spaces. The project moved Mayor Alejandro Char deeply.
“This is why Barranquilla is different, and these things only happen here. When the private sector works hand-in-hand with the public sector, especially committed to what is most important for a community—education—there is no better legacy for our children. That is why Cristian, ‘Yuyo’ (José Manuel), Luna, and Giselle are who they are. They are an example for all of us Barranquilleros, and for all Colombians,” said the mayor, paying tribute to the Daes siblings and their late father José Manuel, who was also honored on what would have been his birthday.
For the Daes family, the school represents a dream come true. Christian highlighted his vision of seeing future innovators graduate from the institution, particularly in programming, its academic focus:
“It has all the capabilities—even private schools in Barranquilla would envy it. I dream that one day a great mind will emerge from here, that we will have helped open their horizons. That is what we want—with smart screens, technology, and an environment that inspires.”
Karen Abudinen, director of the Tecnoglass Foundation and niece of Evelyna, was one of the proudest during the inauguration:
“First of all, I feel satisfied. Barranquilla has made great strides in educational quality, but this school will become a benchmark for producing the best programmers, engineers, architects, and artists. Beyond the technological focus, it embraces a STEAM approach that allows children to create, develop, imagine, and above all, achieve their dreams. That is what we are implementing with the District of Barranquilla.”
Sitting in her wheelchair, overwhelmed by the affection and attention, Evelyna Abuchaibe de Daes recalled her humble beginnings and how her son fulfilled his promise:
“This is not the most exciting day for me because I have suffered a lot, and I don’t like publicity. I am a very simple woman. I was born in Riohacha, on the floor, because back then there were no clinics. Christian always told me, ‘You cannot pass away until the school is inaugurated.’ This is the first time I see it, the first time I come here. Today I feel happy, but also very moved by so many emotions together. I am happy for the school, but, as I said, I am not used to this. I am a very simple woman. I had not gone out in eight years.”
