Children of Colombia

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Children of Colombia

In 2002, Children of Colombia was founded by a group of women in the UK. We support three personally-known institutions in Bogota which give day-to-day care, love and education to very poor, sick and needy youngsters. All the trustees have lived in Colombia, give their time voluntarily and ensure that donations go to the homes directly and not on salaries, offices or other expenses.

In the Amazon, Natutama works with local children and families to teach them about the conservation of their beautiful and unique habitat. The educators have weekly classes in local schools, run a pre-school and hold workshops and programmes at their inspirational visitor centre where children from all over Colombia learn about endangered species such as the pink dolphins and manatees and their place in local myths and traditions and their importance to the environment. Local fishermen and elders are actively involved in monitoring numbers and encouraging sustainable fishing and hunting in the local communities and research findings are presented at environmental congresses.

In a small street in one of the poorest areas of Bogota, Sister Valeriana founded and built Hogares Luz y Vida, a home full of love and light - a haven for children suffering from very severe and chronic mental and physical conditions who have nowhere else to go. The rooms are bright and cheerful, each child has his or her own wardrobe and is treated with respect as a valued individual. All are encouraged to help others and to live to their full potential by the dedicated doctors, physiotherapists, nurses and other caring staff. They now have a second home in the country outside Bogota and hope to raise enough money to build an in-house medical clinic.

Capital of Colombia and at “2,600 metres nearer the stars” the 3rd highest capital city in S America, Bogotá is the country’s financial and commercial centre and home to the largest number of universities and research centres in the country. It is also an important cultural centre, with many theatres, libraries and museums, including the internationally renowned Museo del Oro. But with over 8 million inhabitants, including refugees from the many years of violence in the countryside, many live in abject poverty and children are left to survive on the streets subject to every kind of abuse and deprivation with no access to education or social or medical care. Fenix works with girls and young women from this background, giving support, care and encouragement to help them return to full time education and fund them through university and college courses in the medical and social care sectors. While studying, they support one another in the “Fenix family” and aim to mentor and guide others to fulfil their potential and become valuable members of the community. A real programme of hope for the future.

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