By Claudia Estrada | Executive Director
Overview
At United for Colombia, we believe that solidarity has the power to change destinies. For more than 20 years, our mission has focused on helping landmine survivors in Colombia regain their mobility, independence, and long-term well-being.
Program Impact
Over the past two decades, United for Colombia has:
Supported more than 1,000 medical treatments for 886 landmine survivors.
Trained 64 Colombian physicians at Mayo Clinic in the United States, strengthening national medical capacity for trauma and rehabilitation care.
Provided comprehensive rehabilitation, including prosthetic adaptation, physical and psychological therapy, and vocational guidance to support survivors as they rebuild their lives.
Prosthetic Innovation Project
One of our key initiatives is the Prosthetic Innovation Project, developed in partnership with Más Capacidad.
Through this effort, we have:
Manufactured over 60 prosthetic liners in Medellín.
Reduced production and treatment costs.
Expanded access to prosthetic services.
Improved comfort, mobility, and autonomy for our beneficiaries.
This project continues to play a critical role in increasing efficiency and extending the reach of our rehabilitation programs.
Beneficiary Highlights
While our work impacts hundreds of individuals each year, the following stories illustrate the human side of our mission:
Yonni Yoani, age 11, lost his leg as a baby. Since 2023, we have supported his ongoing rehabilitation and assisted his family’s relocation to Medellín to ensure consistent access to treatment and a full, healthy childhood.
Edwin Matiz, who lost his hand to a landmine as a child, found renewed purpose through sport. With a cycling-adapted prosthesis provided through our program, he has represented Colombia at the Paralympic Games in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, earning a bronze medal and several Paralympic diplomas.
Their resilience exemplifies the determination of the hundreds of survivors we serve every year.
Sports and Inclusion Initiatives
Sports continue to be a powerful tool for rehabilitation, confidence-building, and community inclusion. This year, United for Colombia:
Supported our para-athlete team’s participation in Colombia’s major running events.
Sponsored the Héroes de Vida team at the national sitting volleyball championship in Bogotá.
Continued our support for the Goalball Team of Antioquia, a sport specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments.
These initiatives foster empowerment, teamwork, and social inclusion for survivors across the country.
Looking Forward
Every achievement, every new step, and every restored dream reminds us why this work matters:
behind each milestone is a life beginning again.
With continued support from GlobalGiving and its donors, we remain committed to transforming the lives of landmine survivors in Colombia through access to medical care, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and community inclusion.
Together, we can continue changing lives.
Links:
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