Joshue Castellanos Paternina

Joshue Castellanos Paternina is a Colombian educator, mentor, and social innovator whose work has transformed the educational landscape for tens of thousands of young people in Colombia and beyond. Born in 1997, Joshue faced extreme adversity from a young age: at 13, he lost his father to suicide amidst an economic crisis, while his mother was hospitalized and his younger brother still in school. Forced to sell sweets on the streets to support his family and continue his education, he learned early that education was not just a path to opportunity, but a lifeline. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to ensuring that no young person is limited by circumstances beyond their control. 

Since 2017, Joshue has reached over 45,000 students through motivational talks, mentoring, and academic support in vulnerable and rural communities. In 2020, during the pandemic, he launched PreICFESApp, a free digital platform that trains students aged 13–17 in the five core subjects of the Colombian curriculum. Today, the platform benefits more than 300,000 young people, offering access to practice exams, tutoring, and guidance regardless of students’ socio-economic background. Recognizing that motivation alone was not enough, he combined this tool with personalized mentoring, career guidance, and socio-emotional support. 

In 2022, Joshue founded the Alcanza una Beca Foundation, through which he has awarded over 700 scholarships, donated thousands of copies of his motivational books, and partnered with universities and technical colleges to provide sustainable educational opportunities. His efforts have helped students like Juan José, from a rural area, to overcome social and emotional barriers, earn high scores on national standardized tests, and pursue careers in medicine, engineering, and teaching. Beyond Colombia, he has piloted his program in India, demonstrating the global applicability of his approach. 

Joshue’s teaching philosophy combines active, student-centered learning with technology and personalized support. He integrates problem-solving, discussions, and real-life projects into lessons to develop not only academic knowledge but also socio-emotional skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose. His model emphasizes global citizenship, environmental awareness, and leadership skills, preparing students to thrive in a 21st-century, interconnected world. Through initiatives like student support networks, workshops, STEM activities, and international scholarship guidance, he empowers students to believe in their potential and envision futures beyond their immediate circumstances. 

Joshue’s work has been internationally recognized. He won the WeAreTogether International Award in Moscow for Equal Opportunities and Social Justice and received national honors from the education secretariats of Córdoba and Sucre. Media outlets in Colombia have celebrated his impact, highlighting the transformative reach of his educational programs. His innovative, scalable, and altruistic approach demonstrates how education can break cycles of poverty, foster social mobility, and inspire entire communities. If there is one achievement that encapsulates his contribution, it is the creation of an inclusive, free, and sustainable educational model that equips young people to transform their own lives and, in turn, their communities.