Protect 50 children with safe housing in Medellin

Colombia is a developing country characterized by its high levels of social and economic inequality, which affect directly many children and families. More than 30% of Colombian population live in poverty conditions, of whom 10% are classified in extreme poverty. This is linked to situations of violence, neglect, drug trafficking and lack of opportunities (DANE, 2013).

Therefore, the country requires programs to help respond to the need to provide protection and ensure a comprehensive development to vulnerable children. In Superarse, we offer integral care to 25 children and young people living in situations of abuse, mistreatment, neglect and violence, issues that prevents them from living with their families. We provide them with decent shelter, complete and balanced food, education, school support, psychosocial support, human formation and health.

The house where children and youth live has been fully refurbished, improving the delivery of services and expanding the capacity of 25 to 40 users.

These are the main achievements for the first trimester in the program:

• The children spent their Christmas holydays in the company of trained families in Sopetran, enjoying the possibility to share family experiences that they do not have in their daily routines
• 100% of the children are enrolled in the education system, through educational institutions in the sector; furthermore, we implemented strategies of effective school support
• The children started their participation in cultural and sport programs which contribute developing capacities and abilities
• The children received interdisciplinary attention (Neurology, Psychiatry, Odontology…)  reaching important milestones in their development process
• The children were champions in the “friendship tournament” which promotes values of friendship and self- esteem
• We implemented the projects “exploring the web” and “promotion of reading” enhancing reading and technological abilities in the children´s formation process

The new spaces in the house are:

• 4 bedrooms
• 2 new bathrooms with their showers
• New laundry space
• New room for food storing
• New floor and improvements in the kitchen
• Celling
• Dining room

We implemented these projects during the period:

Social Work:

• Maltreatment prevention and promotion of healthy relationships
• It is possible in family
• Friendly Families “Blanca Luz Restrepo” - Recreation

Psychology:

My life project

• “You decide, decide well” – Drug prevention
• Responsible sexuality – Sexual education
• “Building roads” – life project

Education:

• Building with the hands
• Movies and literature
• Talking we are more
• While we go back home
• Exploring the web

Nutrition:

Nutritional attention and health

Here is a testimony from a beneficiary, he is 17 years old:

“My life has been transformed in Superarse, I will never forget the day I arrived to the Corporation, at the beginning I wanted to run away, today I thank God every day because I found the family I was always looking for, all my hopes are in Superarse”

We want to thank you once again for walking with us through this exiting path, together we transform the lives of many children and adolescents, filling them with hopes and dreams that come true thank to you.  

The best wishes for you in 2015, Our Project keeps growing and growing…

We are almost concluding this year and our kids keep dreaming and learning thanks to you, these are our main achievements during this period:

• During the third trimester we offered integral attention to 25 children who were protected against risks and threats that were affecting their optimal development
• They received full and balanced nutrition improving their nutritional state, they also concluded their educational activities achieving acknowledgements for their great scholar performance, they received medical assistance and participated in activities regarding the promotion of health and prevention of illness
• The psycho social team provided human and psychological guidance to these group of children and their families. Some of them concluded their process and are once again living with their parents, which is our greatest accomplishment
• We implemented Projects of prevention of bullying among the children, they improved their interpersonal relationships  
• We developed abuse prevention projects with families, providing them practical tools in the relationships with their children
• The children were champions in the football “friendship championship” which promotes healthy habits and values among them
• “Hunting Colors” was the name of the camping that they attended this year, where sports, arts and recreation are promoted
• Many Christmas activities were developed with the children, we opened lots of presents and shared together moments of lots of happiness
• Ten children received their first communion and other 8 were baptized, enhancing their catholic values and their relation with God
• The physical space where the children live was fully refurbished, now we have more comfortable and nicer spaces to offer our kids
• They participated in “ Cinderella” stand-up comedy and many other recreational activities during the past few months

We hope that the year that comes is full of joy for you and your relatives, and that we can continue with your support which fills us with happiness and encourages us to continue working for a better future for disadvantaged children in Colombia, once again, many thanks for all your support.

Links:

• web site