Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

This time we have decided to make a special mention to our “Preparation for Life” program with the adolescents at the Saint Patrick’s Home that involves a transitional period which constitutes the bridge between being in the Foundation and returning to society. Since its opening in 2003, the Saint Patrick’s centre has been home to 675 adolescents, offering them the skills they need to sure up their long-term plans and preparing them psychologically so that they may use their independence to become active and constructive members of society.

Many of the boys have come from the Emergency Centres or other institutions as they have been fully rehabilitated but have no family support. Saint Patrick's centre has a warm and happy atmosphere. It feels like a real “home” and the boys come across as “brothers”. Here there is a major emphasis on educating the boys and setting them on a path that will help them to become fully independent. Some are going to secondary school, others are attending technical college and four of the young men are attending University. The idea is to provide the boys with career advice and employment opportunities as real options for their future.

We are certain that this programme contributes directly to achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals in the context of the fight against poverty, since we firmly believe that skills development and employment opportunities are are one of the most effective solutions. The young people who have graduated from the Foundation, deserve a fair chance of getting a prosper life. We will do our utmost to further this initiative, with hard work and your generous donations.

Former street child, Alexander * (19) is attending University in Bogota where he is studying Agricultural Science. He arrived at St Patrick’s two and a half years ago. He was found abandoned at age 5 and spent many years living in a number of institutions and on the streets. He is doing very well at college and is very bright and ambitious. Jonathan used to go out on Street Patrols where he helped giving out bread and hot chocolate to the kids we visit. He loves to share moments with the people living on the streets he had met. It’s incredible to think that this young man belonged to the street community not that long ago. *His name has been changed for protecting his identity. 

According to the United Nations, 65% of the population in Colombia is below the international poverty line. When Colombian families don’t have homes or a means of income, proper parenting becomes compromised. This can result in Colombian children not being adequately fed or supervised and education is often non-existent. It can also result in Colombian children being exposed to physical and sexual abuse, and violence.