Our foundation “Niños de los Andes” is very grateful to be a part of the GLOBALGIVING FAMILY. We now have the opportunity to share our plans and projects with the world and the people who support us.
During 2012 with the support of you, dear benefactors, we devoted our best efforts to stimulate artistic interests, cultural, sporting and leisure activities of children and adolescents we serve in the six venues of the Foundation. The activities were selected according to the particular characteristics of the children in each program and in line with one of the principles of our philosophy. This involves the development of skills and talents to help kids reach their dreams, so we can look for effective changes in their lives. The professionals in occupational therapy developed activities to suit the group children and their needs.
Dance In this class our children learn Folk dance, contemporary dance & hip hop. They learn choreography and practice during all year long to culminate with a beautiful presentation.
Theater Performing has been a wonderful way for children to explore their feelings, recognize their body and learn to convey their feelings and moods through body language.
Jui Jitsu Through martial arts we teach children a way to release their torrent of rebellious energy that characterizes them and channel it to the learning of non-violent defense.
Soccer The king of sports is preferred by them. Forty children of the Nuevo Amanecer house train every Saturday, led by a volunteer coach, convinced that sports are health, life, but above all peace.
Manga Is the way our kids express themselves through drawing. Manga is an illustration style very popular among young people, and for which we have identified a strong liking and development of skills by the youth.
Yoga Is a wonderful way for our children to transform their thoughts and emotions through meditation.
Children state that the supervised practice of these activities in the Foundation have helped them develop their natural talents, personal and social skills as they have not had the opportunity to develop them in the schools they attend, or at their original homes where extreme poverty and often domestic violence and abuse is present.
We have also used these coordinated group activities, as appropriate scenarios to encourage teamwork, coexistence and social harmony with the environment.
We have a protection program in our foundation called “New Down” This house is located outside Bogota and has 60 kids from ages 0 to 18. It is a protection home to take in as family groups of brothers between 0 and 18 years of age that have been victims of neglect or whose rights have been violated. These kids have to stay with us until their families can provide them with basic needs like food, education, a roof & health services, or if that is not the case, we will take them in this house until they reach legal age. Our foundation tries to offer the kids more than a facility to cover all of their basic needs. We work hard to make them feel loved and right at home!
Many weeks ago two voluntaries who worked in our organization for over a year wanted to do something nice for the girls who were turning fifteen. This is a very special birthday for the Latin Women because it means that you are no longer a child & you are becoming woman. The girls never dreamed about celebrating their special birthday because of the poor condition they used to live in. The voluntaries organized with their families, a very special party for them with beautiful flowers & decorations. They also made arrangements for the girls to have their hair and nails done and of course special dresses!
The girls were very happy during the party but they couldn't help to feel nostalgic for their families. Some of them were able to go to the party but others didn't have family to invite. We worked hard because we wanted them to feel happy. Even in the hardest circumstances we give the best of ourselves to make them feel at home. Every single member of our organization assisted the event including our founder "Papa Jaime" who had the honor to dance a special “vals” with each of the birthday girls. This is the dance that their real father is supposed to accompany them.
We also had Mariachis at the party and we were very happy to see one of our old members as part of the Mariachi band. He was rescued by our Foundation many years ago and he stayed with us for more than five years until he was ready to support himself. And here he was as a part of our family giving back with music, not touching just the birthday girl’s hearts but ours as well!
The Birthday girls were thrilled and very thankful for the beautiful party and with all the love provided by "Papa Jaime" and all the family members that Niños A. provides. This is a normal party for a lot of people, but for these kids it means the world. It means a new beginning full of dreams & possibilities than otherwise don't exist.
We want to thank the people who voluntarily help our Foundation by keeping it alive. You are all making it possible to change the world for thousands of children’s who don’t have anybody else to turn to for a family, food, education, health & most important of all unconditional love.
