Give Prostheses to 35 Maimed Colombian War Victims

Event Overview:

• Event Name: Bogotá Half Marathon (MMB)
• Date: July 28, 2024
• Location: Bogotá, Colombia
• Participants: United for Colombia Team, 300 runners (including 30 landmine survivors)

Team Composition:

• The United for Colombia team was composed of 300 runners.
• Among them, 30 beneficiaries of United for Colombia, all landmine survivors, participated using wheelchairs, handcycles, and sport prostheses.

Key Highlights:

1. Community and Reunion:

   • For our beneficiaries, the Bogotá Half Marathon is more than just a race; it is a meaningful reunion with friends who have faced similar challenges. Over the years, these survivors have formed a close-knit family, supporting and uplifting each other.
   • This event provides an opportunity for them to reconnect and strengthen the bonds formed through shared experiences.

2. Support Network:

   • The survivors were joined by a broader network of athletes who annually come together to support our team. This growing network reinforces the sense of community and shared purpose.

3. Role of Sport:

   • Sport continues to serve as a crucial instrument in the lives of our beneficiaries. It offers a means to overcome physical and emotional challenges, functioning as comprehensive rehabilitation therapy.
   • Additionally, the marathon acts as an inclusive meeting point, promoting social inclusion and spreading inspiration through the powerful stories of our beneficiaries' resilience.

Impact and Gratitude:

• We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, whose contributions made it possible for these survivors to participate in the marathon.
• Your support goes beyond just enabling participation; it fuels the inspiration and motivation for our beneficiaries to continue overcoming adversity and serving as role models in their communities.
• The success of this event and the positive impact on our beneficiaries' lives is a direct result of your generosity and commitment.

Conclusion:
The Bogotá Half Marathon 2024 was a resounding success for the United for Colombia team. The event not only highlighted the resilience and strength of our beneficiaries but also reinforced the importance of community, inclusion, and support. We look forward to continuing this journey together, with your invaluable support, to empower and inspire more lives.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our cause.

Links:

• United for Colombia Team at the 2024 Bogota Half Marathon

At just 4 months old, Lina's life changed forever. A stray bullet from a skirmish between the Army and the FARC struck her crib in Loboguerrero, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Her leg, shattered, was amputated to save her life.

Since the age of 4, Lina has been a beneficiary of the United for Colombia Foundation. We sponsor her comprehensive rehabilitation treatments and support her academic education. Annually, we provide maintenance or replacement of her prosthetic to ensure she can lead a full and active life.

Her mother, Carmen, is the rock of the family and has been by her side, courageously facing each challenge together. Her determination and discipline enabled her to graduate from high school while studying at night and working during the day at her restaurant "Las Delicias de la Negra," which provides for the family.

Lina's life has been full of challenges, and in September 2019, she walked her first 10K in the Medellin Marathon hand in hand with her close friend Angie Paola, also a beneficiary of United for Colombia. Crossing the finish line was not only a significant achievement but also gave her the confidence to proudly showcase her prosthetic.

In 2020, the catwalks opened up for Lina. She was selected for the Almacenes Éxito campaign led by renowned Colombian designer Esteban Cortázar, becoming a source of inspiration for many.

Today, Lina, after completing her Technical Studies in Early Childhood Education, works as a teacher for 3-year-old children at a daycare center in Buenaventura. Her greatest aspiration is to obtain a bachelor's degree, demonstrating that adversities do not define our destiny, but rather the attitude with which we face each challenge.

Lina does not stop in pursuit of her goals; her story of resilience is her greatest strength, and the joy of her spirit is the beacon for a path full of hope. Thanks to your generosity, Lina can receive the prosthetic treatment she needs to fulfill her goals!

Links:

• Lina: Story of Strength from United for Colombia