Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

The trust that our GlobalGiving donor community has placed in Fundación Niños de los Andes, together with the commitment of our corporate partners and supporting foundations, made it possible for us to provide new opportunities for learning, well-being, and personal growth to the 292 children and young people in our care during the past quarter.

Each of these initiatives is part of our SER Philosophy, a human development model created by Papá Jaime. Beyond providing knowledge or individual experiences, we strive to help every child and young person discover their own worth, strengthen their independence, develop their talents, and build a more conscious, balanced, and fulfilling life.

It is through this lens that we are pleased to share with you some of the achievements made possible during the past quarter: 

1. Building Skills for Independent Living

Through our St. Patrick Program, we accompany young people during one of the most important stages of their lives as they prepare to leave our care and begin living independently.

Thanks to a grant from the Paystand Foundation, which funded our project "Empowering Vulnerable Youth for Financial Independence," 15 university students and high school seniors participated in an intensive training program covering financial education, digital skills, and Bitcoin-based circular economy concepts.

Delivered through a two-day, 16-hour workshop, the program strengthened essential life skills by promoting independence, leadership, and responsible decision-making. By providing practical tools to manage their resources and prepare for future challenges, we are helping these young people break cycles of vulnerability and build lives marked by confidence, purpose, and independence.

2. Self-Care and Well-Being

With the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers from CRODA, a company specializing in innovative and sustainable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and personal care industries, children at our Nuevo Amanecer home participated in an engaging educational workshop on skin care and sun protection.

Through age-appropriate, interactive activities, they learned about the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure and the importance of protecting their skin. To reinforce these healthy habits, Company generously provided every child with sunscreen, encouraging daily practices that will benefit their health and well-being for years to come.

3. Connection, Care, and Better Spaces

As part of RED DAY, Keller Williams' annual day of community service, 30 volunteers from KW Santana Bogotá spent a meaningful day with our children, leading recreational, sports, and creative activities that encouraged teamwork, creativity, and positive relationships.

In addition to donating their time and talent, the company generously contributed six dining tables, new heavy-duty flooring for our workshop room, and 64 sweatshirts for the children. These gifts have improved both our facilities and the daily lives of the children and young people we serve.

The commitment of partners like Keller Williams, together with the generosity of supporters like you from around the world, continues to create opportunities for children and young people to grow, learn, and build brighter futures.

4. A New Beginning

We would like to close this report by sharing the story of one young man whose journey reflects the lasting impact that a committed network of support can have.

Five years ago, Anderson joined our St. Patrick Program after being declared legally adoptable and having no family support network. Today, he holds a degree in Sociology, has begun a Master's program in Cultural Studies at Javeriana University, and was recently invited to speak at an important academic event.

Perhaps even more inspiring is his dream of giving back the opportunities he once received. Together with several university classmates, he is establishing a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Colombia.

When asked what these achievements mean to him, Anderson shared these words:

"Today, at 24 years old, I work for children because their dreams, their rights, and their smiles hold the future of our country. Without children, there is no future, and without a future, there is no nation."

Stories like Anderson's remind us that every gift, every partnership, and every act of trust has the power to transform one life—and, over time, inspire that life to transform many others.

To our GlobalGiving donors: thank you for being part of this story and so many others over the years. Your monthly contributions allow us to provide food, school supplies, clothing, and the ongoing maintenance of the homes where our children and young people live 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

With our deepest gratitude,

Everyone at Niños de los Andes