Colombia
– August 29 2024
How your support can build brighter futures in Colombia
On the lush coast of Colombia, one community is at risk of being left behind. Almost half of all families and children in Chocó, Colombia live in severe poverty. Most—almost 80%—are without basic needs, like adequate nutrition, clean water, access to health care and more.
This community’s suffering is compounded by threats of illegal armed conflict, a shortage of economic opportunities and a lack of state presence.
These life-threatening challenges and inequitable absences of support endanger parents’ ability to protect and provide for their families—leaving their children vulnerable to malnutrition, violence and exploitation.
Recognizing the need for equitable development and resources, SOS Children’s Villages established programs in Chocó to protect, educate and advocate for the most vulnerable children and families.
Through our Family and Community Development Center, we provide a safe space for children to learn, families to strengthen and for the community to grow more resilient, together.
“In challenging contexts like Chocó, we work with each family and community to identify their needs and capacities,” SOS Children’s Villages Business Development Manager, Laura Martinez, said. “We provide a tailored response to create a safe and protective environment, promote comprehensive development and build a more peaceful community.”
SOS social workers, psychologists and educators partner with the families and individuals in Chocó to propel transformation through counseling, education, employability and more. Our proven approach provides comprehensive care for the most at-risk children, young people and families, including Indigenous peoples, single mothers and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Through the Family and Community Development Center, more than 300 children and young people have participated in protection skills-building activities, which improve child protection efforts and reduces child recruitment in illegal activities.
For children like Yuli*, this life-changing support increased her knowledge and self-confidence.
“What [the teachers] taught us seemed important to me, and I decided to come every day to listen,” she said. “I was very frightened and hardly liked going out in public, but here I learned to express myself.”
Each year, the center grows its reach into the community, but next year, changes in Colombia’s government funding will leave the most vulnerable in Chocó without support.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the Family and Community Development Center has been key in preventing family separation in Colombia,” Martinez said. “For us, at SOS Children’s Villages, strengthening families is beyond training in parenting skills. It is providing the families with the resources they need to thrive and building community cohesion to protect children and young people.”
We need your help to keep providing essential support, training and resources to the children and families in Chocó.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, you can leave a lasting legacy of impact for communities in Chocó with a gift to the Family and Community Development Center. You can be the hope a child needs for a brighter future.
Give today