By Patricia Gonzalez | Co-founder and Community Relations Manager
As October comes to a close, marking the approach of Thanksgiving and soon after, Christmas, it feels fitting to greet you, wish that this has been a special year for you, and express once again our immense gratitude for the continuous and committed support you have given to the Foundation.
This period has not been easy in terms of childhood and adolescence as we have witnessed chilling cases. Sofía, a 12-year-old girl, was brutally murdered in Colombia, becoming a symbol of the extreme violence that many girls face in the country. Her case is not unique, but her story has managed to draw public attention to the reality of thousands of girls who suffer in silence. Between January and August of this year, 375 children were killed, according to data from Legal Medicine. This is a tragedy not only for the families but for the entire country.
However, despite these tragic events, I want to share a report on some actions carried out by the Foundation, thanks to your generous contributions, which help prevent not only these situations but all the risks to which children are exposed.
Homeschooling
Education is one of our top priorities. In the last period, we implemented a flexible in-house schooling model at the Foundation as an inclusive alternative. This program is aimed at vulnerable populations who face difficulties in accessing traditional education. Eight qualified teachers regularly attend from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., ensuring academic classes can be held within the home. We opted for this strategy to address the challenges arising from individual learning differences due to the psychosocial backgrounds of the children and adolescents, many of whom are older than the standard age for their grade level. The Homeschooling Program has significantly reduced school dropout rates and prevented the bullying that children in protection processes often face in regular schools.
Introduction to English as a Second Language
We have taken advantage of visits from our international volunteers to introduce the children to a second language in a warm, home-like environment, helping them become familiar with basic everyday vocabulary. Our dream is to make English an integral part of their education so they can access better opportunities in life, in their studies, and in their future careers. This learning journey is challenging and requires perseverance, but thanks to the charisma and dedication of our volunteers, we have seen great progress both at St. Patrick and Nuevo Amanecer.
Improving Nutrition Quality
Every day, the Foundation serves approximately 520 meals across five times (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks). The menu is organized based on nutritional charts and meets ICBF’s requirements to ensure the children’s physical and cognitive development, particularly during the critical ages of 7 to 18, when growth and brain development reach their peak. Under the guidance of professionals from the "Alimentando el Mañana” program, we are implementing a gastronomic laboratory to learn new and delicious plant-based recipes. This initiative aims to reduce the use of animal products and increase the consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in creating more sustainable, yet equally nutritious, menus.
University Scholarships
At the beginning of this year, we signed a support agreement with the ALNA Foundation, whose mission is to provide opportunities and comprehensive support to talented students facing economic challenges, helping them achieve their academic and personal goals. From our Foundation, five students won scholarships after a lengthy selection process.
Four of them are girls, daughters of former program participants. They began their semester in July, studying Business Administration, Veterinary Medicine, and Law at Javeriana, Sergio Arboleda, and La Salle Universities. ALNA scholarships represent a further step in their development, inspiring them to reach their full potential and become agents of change in their communities.
These are just a few of the achievements that highlight the success of the work being done at the Foundation, but they also make it clear that they have only been possible thanks to the unwavering support we have received from you, other donors, companies, and partner organizations that have placed their trust in our work.
The violation of girls' rights in Colombia is a deep and complex issue. However, every small effort can bring about significant change in a girl's life. With your support, our Foundation will continue to provide a home filled with love, hope, and protection to girls in vulnerable situations.
Together, we can build a future where girls are respected, protected, and loved.
Thank you again and again !!!!!
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By Patricia Gonzalez | Project Leader
By Patricia Gonzalez | Community Relations Manager
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