Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

Dear friends,

Closing the first quarter of the year, with the presentation of results to our General Assembly and with the children installed in the new home, we are pleased to greet you, wish you the best and share with you the facts and highlights in the development of our work, of which you do much with your support and your contributions offering better opportunities to our children and young people, invaluable commitment that we are infinitely grateful.

Let's take a look at some topics of interest

Inequality, inequity and violence

The protection of children and adolescents in Colombia continues to be a priority issue, need to look at the not very encouraging figures reported by the competent authorities: According to DANE, 11 million children in Colombia are living in poverty, which represents 67% of all children and adolescents in the country, without leaving aside that 2.6 million children between the ages of 6 and 16 do not attend school. According to ICBF, during 2023, 39 thousand cases of minors were attended to in institutions such as ours due to acts of violence, around 123 per day. Not to mention the 119 children and adolescents recruited by illegal groups, as reported by the Ombudsman's Office so far in 2014. A worrying national picture

New House... New Home

These situations that children and adolescents have to face lead us to improve every day the environments in which we attend to their processes of reestablishment of rights, while we prepare their families to receive them back in more affective and safe environments, or guide them for an exit to their independent life. The refurbishment of the new Nuevo Amanecer home was our priority from the beginning of the year. Living areas, bedrooms, classrooms for home school classes, play areas, bathrooms and kitchen had to be re-adapted to the smaller, but cosier and friendly spaces of the new house. Life in the Mandalay neighbourhood has made them feel happier and more socially included.

Sustainability means health, education and employment

During 2023 we cared for a total of 771 children, adolescents and young people in the three homes in Bogotá and Manizales, of whom 538 have a family support network, and 129 have no family, which means that they will be with us until they complete their technical or professional training. The commitment to their education was significant: 224 children attended primary school, 372 attended high school, 20 attended university and 6 attended technical or technological courses. The affiliation to health services was 95% in the three centers. During the year, the process of labour insertion and development of competencies of the young people of St. Patrick's stands out. Today 22 young people are working in different companies.

Partners who make it possible

The unconditional support of individuals, companies and foundations that contribute with donations, corporate volunteering activities and knowledge transfer are an invaluable support to increase the impact of our work. But you, our dear community of GlobalGiving friends, donors and fundraisers, have been a fundamental pillar during the last twelve years to obtain the resources required to address the care needs of our children in all areas of their rights. THANK YOU because without your support it would have been very hard for us to achieve these goals.

Reaping success!

The wonderful news at the beginning of the year is the scholarship that Andrés*, the young man from St. Patrick's home whose story we told you in last GivingTuesday's appeal, received to finish his 10th semester studies in Systems Engineering at the Catholic University. University´s directors not only highlighted his discipline and academic performance but also his integrity and good character as a worthy student of that alma mater. His transformation during his 7-year process at the Foundation is impressive. His dream is to do a specialization in Project Management and save to buy his own flat. Our pride could not be higher. *The name was changed to protect his identity

With this information about the reality of our Colombian children and adolescents, alongside the results obtained at the Foundation, we want you to be able to measure the magnitude of the challenge we still face and to understand the real value of your valuable contribution to achieve a positive change in the lives of these children and young people.

On behalf of Papá Jaime, our board of directors and our team, we send you all our warmest greetings and hope you had a peaceful and blessed Easter Week with your families!

Sincerely yours

Patricia González

Community Relations Manager

PS: Any feedback, comments or suggestions would be most welcome.