Help 2,000 at-risk youth in Colombia build peace

This winter has started out to be one of our most exciting times here at the Solidarity Foundation of the Visitacion. Two major events took place over the past few months, along with the continuation of our daily duties that provide the children and youths of our communities with the opportunity to better themselves and those around them.

First, we had a gift exchange event for our mentors and the kids they sponsor. The beaming smiles on the faces of the children when they saw their mentors' open arms for hugs and a new toy can't be described in words. Most of them face hard times around the holidays, with parents who struggle to provide consistent meals, let alone gifts on Christmas. So, it is a pretty touching moment when their joy can be restored. For those of you who are interested in our mentor aka 'padrino' program. Please visit our website at www.fundavisitacion.org

Another important event that took place was our drive for rain boots for the indigenous children in Dabeiba, Antioquia. The conditions where these children are from can be more volatile because of the lack of infrastructure in this rural part of Colombia. For this reason, providing all the children with proper rain boots so they can walk to school without risk of injury or infection is extremely important. With this drive, we were able to adequately provide the children in Dabeiba with their very own brand new rain boots. Please see pictures for more detail!

We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the great work you donors do for us and these children in need. We couldn't do this Godly work without you. Please visit our website for more pictures and information on how you and your friends,social network, even families can help cause change in Colombia.

Until next time, happy new year! 

Hello to all our supporters out there!

The past few months at FSV have been filled with excitement as we continue our struggle, fighting for the youths of our city, trying our best to prevent the abuse of drugs, risky sexual behavior, and keep them from getting recruited by armed groups that still fight for control over neighborhoods in or close to where they live.

However, if there is one thing we have learned over the years, knowing a child's name and actively trying to include them in activities that promote the constructive use of free time, all the while maintaining a simple important goal: making the child feel loved-all of these are key ingredientes to preventing violence in our city and laying the foundation for a better future, with our young ones receiving the type of recreational education that will allow them to see the benefits of being a responsable citizen in their community, city, and country.

This past month we did a number of cultural outings and creative activities that allowed the kids to have a lot of fun and learn new things. First, all four centers visited a new organic farm, where the kids learned how farmers do their job in planting, growing, and picking healthy fruits and vegetables. They also learned how important it is to include these healthy foods in their daily diet.

We also had a new outdoor activities including playing soccer and basketball, along with some other fun games on blacktop that our teachers and playcenter professionals run. Sometimes the competition gets intense, but we allow the kids to expell the necessary energy and at the same time teach sportsmanship, a necessary thing for teaching them the lifelong important skill of teamwork.

That's it for now, but it the coming months we will report back with more stories of how your donations are making a difference in the lives of the youths of Medellin and paving the way for a brighter and happier future for them.

Thanks again, we couldn't do this without you all!