Breaking poverty cycle for 70 youths in Bogota

In recent months, the children have enjoyed spending time with their friends from “Emaus,” a Catholic group of young people and adults who are actively involved in the church.

Every time they visit us, the children have fun, pray, play, and enjoy lots of candies

Several groups have visited us over the years, and it is always a source of joy for the children. That is why, in December, we hope to organize an activity with more than 10 groups and 80 people at a nearby sports center for a high-level sports and recreational event.

This event will be part of our “Christmas camp” calendar, which we plan to hold with the children from November 24 to December 24.

The idea is that four days a week, the children will be busy with various activities, such as movies, crafts, games, plays, and dances.

With this project, in addition to spending their free time in a healthy and productive way, they will also develop artistic and social skills.

Today I would like to tell you about the team that makes it possible for 70 children to live the experience of love in Pintando.

I am always happy to talk about the effort involved in training people to work, which we have been doing since day zero when the project opened almost 23 years ago. It has been successful. Our policy is to support and empower the mothers of our beneficiary children, as well as other women in the local area, by teaching them childcare skills and helping them to improve their job prospects and income.

At this stage of our journey, we are accompanied by two loving women who have been close to Pintando for 16 years. First, they were beneficiaries of the organization's leadership and training programs, and for the last couple of years, they have been employees.

Nini arrived with her two eldest children, aged six and four, and then brought her other two children in 2009. She has been part of the team at different stages, and during this time, she completed her secondary education and received leadership training at the University of Javierana and on two other projects proposed by Pintando Caminos.

Sonia arrived 15 years ago with her eldest daughter, Luisa, and subsequently brought each of her other children. She has always been very involved in the work of the foundation and has a very positive attitude. Three years ago, we invited her to help us prepare food, and she has been the leader in the kitchen ever since. She is the leader because she is very good at what she does, and the children love her.

Both Nini and Sonia still have beneficiary children at Pintando

In the administrative area, I am the director and founder, as well as the accountant. I have worked in Ciudad Bolívar for 24 years, almost 23 of which have been with Pintando. I am a lawyer by profession, but I have dedicated myself full-time to working with Pintando and other wonderful spaces for many years.

Living in Pintando, being close to the children and feeling connected to them has been the driving force that has kept me here. Drawing on my experience in Pintando, my work as a lawyer, and my life, I also support companies by providing personal leadership programs.