Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

Dear Donors, 

We are more than halfway through 2020, and we are still in awe with how the world has changed. COVID-19 has definitely made this year a challenge for everyone, a challenge that has shown how lucky we are to not only be healthy and alive, but also to have unconditional support from special people like you. In Colombia, we have been in quarantine since March 26^th, and we still have many difficult months ahead of us, as our country has just overcome the first “peak” of this pandemic.

With only four months left this year we are excited to share some of our accomplishments and events that we are eagerly looking forward to, all thanks to the excellence and commitment of our staff, especially those who have been with our children this entire time:

• This past July, we participated in Bonus Day, and raised 10,000 dollars ranking our organization in 29^th. We are so grateful for this outcome as our donors were still willing to donate during these uncertain economic times, and for that we do not have enough words to thank each and every one who made this incredible outcome possible. With this money we were able to improve their connectivity, implement more work stations, access more workshops, courses and new spaces for learning.

• In compliance with the guidelines determined by the Ministry of Health and ICBF to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, especially in populations of high risk for conditions of vulnerability, our children in each of the programs, have advanced with various actions within our self-care policy. Luckily, we only had four positive cases in all of our homes, and thankfully, they were all asymptomatic.

• Our children's families have felt accompanied and oriented throughout this pandemic, through us they have learned about biosafety measures so they can take care of their own family environment. They have also maintained links through video calls following the required social distance, which has allowed spaces of reflection that have been succesful in changing their parenting behaviors. 

• As part of the project "My time through the Foundation.. An unforgettable Experience" funded by the UPS Foundation, with the aim of optimizing the formation process of our children from the dimensions of body, mind and spirit, three gymnasium apparatuses were installed in the Nuevo Amanecer home that will allow them to have a directed physical training and enjoy greater outdoor activities.

• This month we are excited to participate in Little by Little which will take place September 14^th until September 18^th For five full days all donations starting at $10 up $50 will be matched at 50%! The best part of all, the matching funds are unlimited. With these donations we hope to buy all the necessary school materials, like notebooks, colored pencils, folders, and pens, as their school semester has resumed this past week!

On behalf of Papa Jaime, our Board of Directors, staff and more importantly our children, there aren't enough words to thank you for your help to maximize our efforts in ensuring responsible management during COVID-19. We'd also like to take a moment to honor all the brave health workers, first responders and public force who continue to risk their lives for the safety of ours and our loved ones.

With love, 

Diana Zamudio

General Director

These past few months have been a challenge, but one thing that this pandemic has shown us is humanity’s greatness that arises in times of need. With this in mind, we wanted to happily share with you that we recieved one of the microgrants that GlobalGiving gave to 100 organizations to weather the impact of this pandemic.

Thanks to your generous donations as well, so far we have been able to:

• Secure weekly Yoga breathing classes that help cope with stress and depression.
• Conduct weekly online workshops of proper Microsoft Excel use for those who are finishing high school education and are continuing on to career training. 
• Successfully supply all the homes with the proper bio-safety and cleaning products that were needed to guarantee the safety during COVID-19 health emergency.
• Change two of the main computers in each home, enabling easy communication within the children and their families, supplementing the regular visits that used to take place every Saturday.
• Improve the provision of sporting and recreational equipment including: soccer balls, bikes, board games and the painting divisions of the soccer field in Nuevo Amanecer. This will guarantee that every day there are more options for the children to properly manage their free time. 

Today we face a new challenge of internet access in all the programs, as we do not have all the technological tools necessary to face the challenges of virtual classes. Right now, only a few kids are able to connect at the same time, either with their schools or families with a decent coverage, forcing us to prompt a better connection so they can all be online at the same time. We are hopeful that they will be able to complete their school year and can continue to learn and grow academically and emotionally. In the end, even when the world feels upside down, it’s fulfilling to know that there are people like you who are willing to help make a change during this difficult time.

On behalf of Papa Jaime, our Board of Directors, staff and more importantly our children, there aren't enough words to thank you for your help and commitment to maximize our efforts in ensuring responsible management during COVID-19. We’d also like to take a moment to thank the brave health workers, social workers, first responders and public force who continue to risk their lives for the safety of ours and our loved ones. 

Please stay safe and well, 

Patricia Gonzalez

Community Relations Manager

P.S. We kindly invite you to visit our Facebook Page!