Background:

The infant program Buen Comienzo Medellin has become a national reference given its achievements in comprehensive assistance to young children. Evaluations undertaken to date have centered on, above all, the effects the program has on the nutritional state of participant children.

Objective:

To evaluate the socio-political categories of the program, such as community building and participation, that are developed and present as opportunities when families and children come to receive food.

Materials and Methods:

A model was used that combines multidimensional analysis (structure, process, and results) and triangulation of methods.

Results:

After analyzing the interviews, the observations, and the program documents, the following themes emerged: a) autonomy and self-care, staples for building good citizenship in children; b) family commitment; c) participation and limits on freedom; and d) increased participation in homes, a call from educational agencies.

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