Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

Today we are excited to share with you that in the last Bonus Day campaign we raised USD$9,735 thanks to your generous contributions, plus an additional USD$3,000 from GlobalGiving, for a total of USD$12,735.oo. This is a wonderful result that we are very grateful for, because this money, product of your incredible commitment, will be used for the adaptation of the new house.

It has not been an easy task to find a large property with green areas in Bogota, similar to the one we currently have. We will probably choose to move to two houses located in Mandalay, a safe neighborhood in the south of the city, very close to a large and beautiful park that we can use for outdoor activities. Finding a place that meets the welfare standards for our children is a big responsibility.

In the meantime, we continue to protect, educate and train all the children, adolescents and young people we care for in our programs.

Opportunities for growth and development

Through an agreement with the Emanuel D'alzon private school, which has opened the doors of its facilities to us, we have developed multiple cultural, scientific and sports activities. The children have had the opportunity to experiment with substances in their chemistry laboratory and take guided tours of the school museum, learning about nature and its evolution throughout history. Our children are happy to share with others of their own age. Oliver* (16 years old) 4 years in our program, has been in charge of leading the group so that there is cordiality and good behavior during the visits, standing out for his sense of belonging and love for the Foundation. *Name was changed to protect his identity

Profiling their life projects

Fifteen young people between 16 and 18 years old, close to graduating from high school, are participating in training in digital marketing, a topic with a huge future, taught by an expert volunteer at the Club del Comercio facilities in Bogota. The workshops have focused on explaining the various business models around the digital world and the new skills they could acquire to generate an extra income. Digital Marketing is a tool that can open a window of opportunities for them and learning this trade means taking big steps to ensure succes in their future career.

Education a powerful tool

For this term we started a flexible model of intramural education at the Nuevo Amanecer home through an agreement with the State Secretary of Education. The classes are being taught by qualified teachers in house, a modality that has ensured that the children, who are older than the standard for school grades, feel comfortable and fulfill their duties with discipline and control by the team. At the St. Patrick home, where the older children live, 12 youngsters attend public schools, 17 go to university and 4 are doing technical or technological studies. While pursuing their studies, 16 of them are working in customer service, telecommunications, banking, food and sales. We highlight the achievement of Juan Carlos* who obtained his degree as a Psychologist, and Fernando* who graduated as a Marketing Technologist. Both are currently working in customer service and telecommunications sector. *Names have been changed to protect their identity 

Each new achievement fills us with pride and drives us to continue offering new opportunities for growth to the children, especially to adolescents and young adults, who are at greater risk of falling back in their process by not finding decent jobs when they leave the program and start their independent life.

¡Without your support these actions would not be possible! Your commitment to our cause inspires us to do things right and to generate the greatest positive impact in the lives of each children and youth we care.

Our wishes on behalf of Papá Jaime and our entire team, are for the health, well-being and happiness to you all!

Diana Zamudio

General Director