Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

Dear Friends,

As the year draws to a close, we welcome the season that brings so much magic to children—a time of dreams, joy, and the warmth of being loved. We are grateful to have you by our side as we help children and young people in Colombia find hope and build brighter futures.

Thank you for being part of our family. May this season remind us that one of the greatest gifts we can give a child is the chance to grow up safe, loved, and full of hope.

Every Child Deserves to Grow Up Safe, Loved, and Surrounded by Opportunities

Yet for millions of children in Colombia, this remains far from reality.

In Bogotá, reported cases of domestic violence against children rose by 51.8% between January and May 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Across Colombia, 3.5 million children and adolescents were living in poverty in 2025.

Behind these figures are children who need protection, stability, education, and someone who believes in their potential. At Fundación Niños de los Andes, we work to turn vulnerability into opportunity, helping children and young people rebuild their lives and imagine a different future. Your support helps make that possible.

1. Turning Opportunities into Reality

Across our three programs, we continue to create meaningful opportunities for children, adolescents, and young people. From January through September, we served 422 participants, with progress in education, family reunification, health, and preparation for independent life.

Education to Dream Big: 350 children and young people (82.9%) are enrolled in education. We celebrate achievements such as entering university, completing technical training, and taking part in academic experiences that broaden horizons.

Employment and Independence: Of the 62 young adults in our programs, 28 had active employment. At St. Patrick, 25 young people were working, and three left the program after achieving their goals, with stable employment and a housing option.

Family Strengthening—Returning Home: At Nuevo Amanecer, 29 children and adolescents returned to their families, representing 80.6% of the program’s departures. This reflects ongoing psychosocial support to help make family reunification safe and sustainable.

Health and Holistic Well-being: 409 participants (96.9%) had active health coverage, and 81 had active access to specialized care. At Nuevo Amanecer, 12 care pathways were activated to respond to situations requiring protection and intervention.

An Evolving Model of Care: We continue strengthening our approach through the SER Philosophy, conscious care, and restorative practices. 

2. Alliances That Expand Our Impact

Partnerships with organizations experienced in technology and employability open valuable doors for young people preparing for their next steps.

Fundación Forge, an international nonprofit that helps young people from low-income backgrounds access formal employment, invited six young people from our St. Patrick program to join Tu Futuro en Bogotá.

This free, virtual program supports young people aged 18–24 who are not currently working, offering training in soft skills and the use of artificial intelligence in business processes. For our participants, it is a chance to build confidence, strengthen relevant skills, and prepare for new professional opportunities. We thank Fundación Forge for opening this door.

3. The Love That Stays

The snow melts. The bond doesn’t.

In March, we welcomed Diana, who worked with Fundación Niños de los Andes in the 1990s, and her son, Samuel. They arrived with gifts for the children. When Samuel asked what they most wanted to experience from the United States, the children answered together: snow!

The wish stayed with Samuel. He returned with his parents and everything needed to make it happen. One Friday afternoon, it snowed at Funiandes—and the children experienced a moment of pure joy.

The visit was about more than a magical afternoon. Diana, Samuel, and his father Peter, also spent two days volunteering, helping organize the Foundation’s storage rooms. They shared their time and energy, and continued a bond that began decades ago.

Since 1988, Fundación Niños de los Andes has helped restore and defend the rights of more than 100,000 children and adolescents facing vulnerability in Colombia. Diana’s family reminds us that lasting impact can begin with a visit or a shared dream—and grow into a connection that crosses borders and endures through the years.

Thank you to everyone who stays by our children’s side. Your commitment can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

4. A Future Built with Love and Opportunity

From surviving to thriving

Santiago * entered the child protection system at age 14, after growing up in an environment with many vulnerabilities. He went through several institutions, searching for a safe place where he could learn to trust again.

In 2016, he found that place at our St. Patrick home. There, he was welcomed with love and decided to focus on studying and working. That effort paid off: he finished high school, built with his own work the savings for his independent life, and enrolled at Minuto de Dios University.

Today, Santiago is a Professional in Marketing. He works in the administrative department of Bisonte S.A. where he was promoted for his commitment, lives independently, and supports his own home with his income. His dream keeps growing: to have his own house and to motivate other young people not to give up.

"I want to be an example for other young people to fight for their dreams."

Stories like Santiago's are the reason for our work. They are the proof that a dignified and autonomous future is possible.

*We have called him Santiago to protect his identity

5. We Need to Keep Building Together

Thank you for making our July Bonus Day a success! Your generosity helped raise $7,966 in donations, alongside $805 from GlobalGiving’s incentive fund, supporting our work with children and young people facing vulnerability in Colombia. Every contribution helps provide protection, education, and opportunities for a brighter future.

And we are not done yet! On December 1–2, we will join GlobalGiving’s GivingTuesday campaign—another opportunity to come together and create meaningful change.

Whether you have supported us for years or recently joined our community, we invite you to keep building with us. Together, we can turn more dreams into opportunities and help more young people build a brighter future.

With warmest wishes and big hugs from Papá Jaime and our entire team.

Patricia González

Community Relations Manager 

Links:

• To remember how the heart of our organization was born .