Give at-risk Colombian children a safe home

As 2025 draws to a close, we want to share a story of hope — a story that reminds us why your ongoing support truly matters. Behind every young person living in our Foundation, there’s a journey of resilience, courage, and belief in a better future.
Thanks to your generosity, we continue to accompany adolescents who lack a family to guarantee their rights but who have found in the Foundation a home, education, and the opportunity to prepare for independent living.

This quarter, we took an important step forward with two complementary training initiatives that are awakening talents, strengthening confidence, and encouraging young people to take charge of their own development.

Project: “Learn, Create, and Build Your Future”
Five of our young participants — Nicol*, Valentina*, Andrés*, Carlos*, and Ximena* — have taken a bold step toward building their future.

• Nicol and Valentina began a training course in manicure. Despite learning challenges, their enthusiasm and joy shine in every class. They’ve learned about biosafety, nail design, and the art of detail — discovering that greatness often hides in the smallest things.
• Andrés, Carlos, and Ximena chose barbering. With discipline, creativity, and skill, they’ve turned this craft into more than a trade — it’s a path toward independence, dignity, and a self-built future.
  (*Names have been changed to protect their identities.)

Program: “Awakening Inner Wealth”
In partnership with ALIVE, an organization that has been transforming lives in Colombia for nine years, our youth are taking part in a process designed to reinforce positive identity, break limiting beliefs, and empower them to manage their lives, resources, and finances wisely.
Through experiential workshops, they explore values of equality, inclusion, and self-improvement. The curiosity and openness they’ve shown inspire us to keep promoting their leadership and self-reliance.

In Colombia, 69,000 children and adolescents remain under state protection, facing realities that threaten their well-being and future. But stories like these remind us that when young people are given opportunities — and the tools to lead — transformation begins from within.

On December 2nd, we’ll join the world in celebrating GivingTuesday, a global movement of generosity that reminds us that we can all be part of the change. This year, Giving Tuesday is extra special, and GlobalGiving will match your generosity with $500,000 in bonus funds, available during 36 hours of giving from December 2 at 00:00:00 EST through December 3 at 12:00:00 EST), , along with special awards for projects that receive the most support.

We invite you to spread the word, make a gift, and continue helping us empower youth to lead their own path toward a brighter future.

Your commitment to education and development keeps transforming lives. Because of you, stories like Nicol’s, Valentina’s, Andrés’, Carlos’, and Ximena’s continue to grow — turning hope into action.

Would you share what you’d like to see in future reports or which aspects you find most meaningful? We’d be happy to receive your comments at funiandes@yahoo.com.

All the best, 

Patricia González 

Community Relations Manager 

Dear friends,

In our last report, we shared the achievements of 2024—made possible thanks to your ongoing support. Today, we’d like to take you beyond the numbers and into the heart of our programs: the daily life in our residential homes, where children and adolescents, each with a unique and often painful story, learn to live together.

If education is the engine of development, we believe the formation of the inner self is its fuel. That’s why, every day, we dedicate ourselves to guiding children and youth not only academically, but also emotionally and spiritually—helping them build the foundations of a peaceful life.

We do this through our Filosofía SER, a methodology that encourages every child to dream, to recognize their own value, and to grow into resilient, caring human beings capable of shaping their future.

Here are three recent initiatives that embody this approach:

1. “Explora sin Miedo” – Stepping into the World with Confidence

To support teens nearing the end of their stay at the Foundation, we created Explora sin Miedo—a program designed to prepare them for independent living. It equips them with the practical, emotional, and social skills they’ll need to navigate the world outside.

Highlights:

• Hands-on vocational training in high-demand fields like barbering, gastronomy, robotics, and digital marketing 
• Mentorship from professionals and company visits
• Cultural outings and guided experiences in public transport
• Communication practice through real-life interactions

Impact:
The program strengthens their independence, confidence, and problem-solving abilities—empowering them to face life’s challenges and build their own paths. They’re becoming young adults with identity, dignity, and direction.

2. “Rincón del Talento” – A Space to Simply Be

In our new campus, we transformed an ordinary room into a vibrant, welcoming ludoteca (play & creativity room), with the support of a group of retired Canadian teachers.

More than just a playroom, this space has become a refuge for emotional release and self-expression, offering opportunities for healing through art, movement, and connection.

Activities include: 

• Art, music, theater, dance, creative writing, yoga, games, and emotional reflection
• Group sessions that promote empathy, teamwork, and self-awareness
• Spontaneous expression through folkloric dance, storytelling, and painting

The ludoteca has blossomed into a place full of color, laughter, and emotional transformation. It's where our children feel safe to breathe, create, and reconnect with their inner selves.

3. Alcohol Prevention Through Interactive Theater

To raise awareness about underage alcohol use, we hosted workshops led by SMASHED PROJECT, a UK-based initiative that uses storytelling to reach young audiences. Through a powerful short film and guided discussion, adolescents explore real-life situations involving peer pressure, poor choices, and consequences. The goal is to build critical thinking, self-confidence, and the courage to say “NO.”

Thanks to this initiative—and to your support—our youth are better equipped to face external risks and protect their well-being.

 None of this would be possible without you—our network of compassionate donors who give frequently with such commitment and love. You are not just supporting a cause. You are transforming lives from the inside out.

You are helping us raise a new generation of young people who are not only educated—but whole, self-aware, and ready to build a better world. 

*Our annual Bonus Day campaign is coming up on July 16th!
It’s a beautiful chance to amplify support. We’ll be sending more details soon — we hope you’ll share them with family and friends! 

With deep gratitude,

Patricia González

Community Relations Manager