Breaking poverty cycle for 70 youths in Bogota

She is Gineth Alejandra but we called MAMU, she’s 11 and since she was 3 is assisting to our programmes, is one of the participants in our video at Global Giving and as you can see is always happy.

To all of us it’s so great to see her smile and know for fact she’s growing surrounded by love, learning values for life and looking to make things right, full of dreams and confident that she has everything to accomplish them.

Mamu is a monitor, she arrives early to do her homework and then helps younger children with their homework, she also helps with housework at Pintando, she is at Pintando most of her day.

Her parents work with us, Manuel, her father, drives a taxicab and he takes us all over to Bogota, and also picks up visitors and donations since 2008, and her mother Marcela, helps with the care and education children since 2010. Her relatives are also in Pintando Caminos, cousins, uncles, are part of our great family.

Her dreams are to become an astronaut, a CSI or a professional singer. What is important to us is that she knows the flavor of a huge hug, knows she can fulfill her dreams and that she can count with us to support her and give her love.

Mamu is a constant reminder of why is worth to continue working in transform poverty within Colombia, every time that I remember that 6 of every 10 Colombians live in poverty or vulnerability, I look at Mamu and she inspires me to continue, to fight for many more children out there who need education, love and values, children like her.

PS: Her dog is also a part of Pintando, his name is “Mouse”

Links:

• facebook photos

We are delighted to announce that in December 220 Christmas gifts (toys and clothes) were given to children who participated in the various programs actively. We want to thank all our donors who helped us throughout 2014.

New year came with big challenges, local schools asked us to recieve 18 new children that don't know how to read or write, we are short of volunteers and we have to reject many aplications because we lack space and teachers. 

But with challenges, changes comes so 2015 is about Leadership, we started our Leadership School "Pintela y se la Coloreo" we are finishing our first trimester with great results in our specific programs.

We began "The adventure of Knowing Me", a program that seeks to strengthen self-esteem, self-respect and communication in youth.

"Somos Capazes", (We can do it) is helping our oldest boys (10 - 16 years) reinforcing the theme of conflict resolution and self-knowledge.

"Hoy eres TU, ELLOS son el mañana" (Today is YOUR time to build THEIR future), like in a family where older children help younger ones and every one has to help, we are giving our youth tasks. They are hepling each other with school work and they take turns serving meals. Focusing not in yourself but in others needs and being usefull and recognized has given them extraordinary results!

Our program "Pintemos, Pintando" (Lets draw Pintando) empowers our work team and volunteers, we are preparing them so they can help design our organization present and future. This year we did a week summit with all our team working in leadership skills.

Next trimester we are willing to start five new programs: "Las Matemáticas te Pintan" (Math draw you), "Pintando Futbol" (Painting soccer), "Pintando mi Futuro" (Painting my future), "Pintando Relaciones" (Painting relationships) and "Maestría de Vida" (Parents Leadership school).

We are looking forward for GlobalGiving next Bonus Day in May 13th, our Fundraising Goal that day is $2.800 which will help us implement the new programs! We really count on your support!!