Transforming The Lives of Children in Cartagena

Dear Donor,

From March to May, Fundación Betania Juvenil has carried out a wide range of impactful educational, artistic, and emotional development activities for children and adolescents. Your generous support made all of this possible. Here, we highlight some of the most significant achievements and stories from this period. 

Nutritional Support – Breakfast Club

From March to May, we provided over 3,000 nutritious breakfasts, ensuring that children and adolescents started their days with dignity and energy.

• March: 1,000+ breakfasts served
• April: 1,100 breakfasts served
• May: 1,200 breakfasts served

These meals are more than just food—they are a sign of care, safety, and hope. 

Program Highlights

Luis Ferney’s Dream

Luis Ferney, a young participant, showed exceptional enthusiasm during a writing workshop. He proudly shared his story and expressed that his dream is to become a writer. The support and encouragement he received helped him feel more confident in his abilities.

Gratitude in Small Hands

In a literacy workshop about gratitude, children were invited to reflect on how often we take things for granted. After being given a single cereal grain with no explanation, none of the children expressed thanks. This opened a powerful discussion. They later created a “Flower of Gratitude”, writing messages to their mothers and loved ones.

‍ “Pinto Mi Futuro” – Painting My Future

In the "Pinto Mi Futuro" workshop, children created personal vision folders filled with photos, drawings, and messages about their dreams and aspirations. Some wanted to become artists, teachers, athletes, or simply grow up happy. They were encouraged to reflect on who they are and what they want for their future.

Building Values Through Stories

In a story-based workshop, children read “The Hare and the Tortoise” and reflected on lessons such as perseverance, respect, and not making fun of others. They created masks of the characters and re-enacted the story, turning learning into play.

Positive Changes in Families

The involvement of caregivers has grown steadily, showing the broader impact of your support:

• Albanis, a mother of three children who were previously out of school, now ensures their daily attendance after receiving support from the foundation.
• Sirley, a caregiver, has shown greater interest in helping her child during mealtimes, encouraging her even when she shows discomfort.
• Caregivers like Agueda expressed appreciation for the spaces created by the foundation, sharing that they feel heard and supported.

Thank You

From literacy and arts to nutrition—your contributions are planting seeds that are bearing fruit in the lives of those we serve. These aren’t just workshops or meals. They are moments of transformation made possible by your generosity.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Looking back on 2024, we are grateful for the impact we’ve made together. Thanks to your support, we provided education, nutrition, and opportunities for children and families in vulnerable situations.

We served 16,500 nutritious breakfasts, ensuring children started their day ready to learn. Our family strengthening program provided home visits and workshops to improve caregiver-child relationships.

Through reading programs, children explored books like A Horse Named Pandoro, while our art workshops encouraged creativity and self-esteem. In academic support, students strengthened their skills in math, reading, and writing through interactive learning, and our English Workshop introduced them to basic communication skills.

Johan’s Story: Overcoming the Odds

One of the year’s most inspiring moments was Johan’s graduation from elementary school—a milestone that once seemed out of reach.

Johan struggled with low academic performance, lack of motivation, difficulty completing homework, and poor reading comprehension. His future in school was uncertain.

With the support of our guided homework program, Johan regained confidence, engaged in learning, and worked toward his goal. Expressing his gratitude, he said:

"Teacher, thank you so much for your help. I’m going to graduate. I want you to come to my graduation."

Johan’s journey is proof that, with the right support, children can overcome challenges and succeed.

National Recognition: A Spotlight on Our Work

In 2024, one of the country’s leading national TV networks featured our work, selecting us as a partner to distribute 375 meals to families in need as part of their social responsibility efforts. This recognition underscored our impact and the trust placed in us to serve our community.

Watch the full report as it aired on national television here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSZnxGQrufo.

Expanding Our Mission: University Preparation for Our Students

Six years ago, we began working with elementary school children, providing a safe space to learn and grow. Now, some of those children are on the verge of applying for university.

Our mission is holistic transformation, ensuring students don’t just receive support as children but also have pathways to higher education. In 2025, we are launching a university preparation program to help them compete for scholarships and access quality education. This includes:

• University preparation courses to strengthen academic skills and guide career choices.
• Pre-ICFES training, ensuring students achieve high scores on national exams—equivalent to the SAT (USA) or A-Levels (UK)—increasing their chances of university admission and scholarships.
• Mentorship and guidance, supporting students through the application process.

How You Can Help
This is a new initiative, and we need your support. If you would like to directly contribute to these students’ success, we will allocate resources toward their exam preparation, tuition, and academic materials.

In the coming months, we will introduce some of these students and share their stories. With the right support, their dreams of higher education can become a reality.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025

As we enter the new year, we are focused on expanding our impact. Our key goals for 2025 include:

• Providing daily breakfasts for at least 80 children, ensuring they receive proper nutrition to thrive.
• Launching our university preparation program, equipping students with the tools to compete for scholarships and higher education.
• Improving reading comprehension, helping children not just read, but truly understand and analyze texts.

Additionally, we are progressing on a construction project for a future facility, allowing us to serve more children and families. More details will be shared soon.

Your Support Makes the Difference

Every milestone, every graduation, and every success story is possible with your help.

Thank you for believing in this mission. Together, we are building a future where more children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.