Due to escalating violence, severe inflation and critical shortages of food, education and health care, more than 7.7 million people have fled Venezuela in search of a better life for their children, with more than 3.7 million seeking refuge in Colombia.
Thousands of displaced families and children have settled in La Pista, a shantytown in La Guajira, where they struggle to survive. Families construct homes made from scrap wood and metal, and children are extremely vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and starvation—especially as one-third of malnutrition deaths in Colombia occur in La Guajira.
But together, we can deliver the healthy meals children need—fueling their bodies, hearts and minds so they can continue playing, learning and building a brighter future.
Turning hunger into hope
When SOS Children’s Villages saw the growing humanitarian crisis in La Guajira, we didn’t see statistics—we saw the thousands of individual children whose lives and futures are precariously balanced between starvation and survival.
That’s why we established three child-friendly spaces that serve as beacons of hope for La Guajira’s children.
These spaces provide the tailored, holistic support children need in La Guajira need, like:
— Mental health support so children can process trauma, heal and build resilience for future stressors.
— Protection classes that teach children essential skills on avoiding forced recruitment by armed groups, child labor and other forms of exploitation.
— Informal education to minimize learning disruptions.
— And nutritious food to fuel their growing bodies and minds!
More than 300 children a day enjoy these healthy meals, which are prepared by Venezuelan migrants who've started catering businesses through SOS’ family strengthening program.
So not only do these meals provide the nourishment children need to enjoy a healthy, happy childhood and bright future, it also creates a sustainable source of income for families in the community to provide for their children!
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These healthy and delicious meals power a child’s potential and leftovers are carefully packaged for children to take home and share with their families.
Thanks to generous supporters like you, we’ve distributed more than 72,000 nutritious meals to vulnerable children in need!
Read more about your impact in Colombia.
Full Bellies, Bright Futures
The children in La Guajira aren’t the only ones who desperately need nutritious food. In 2024, more than 35 children were born into hunger each minute.
No child should go to bed hungry or spend the day wondering “if” they will eat instead of “when.”
This summer, you can be the difference between starvation and survival for a vulnerable child.
With your gift to our Full Bellies, Bright Futures Summer Food Drive, you can send the life-saving food a child needs to fuel their body, nurture their mind, and reach their full potential.
Every meal you provide acts as a lifeline for children—delivering the food they need to grow, learn and build a brighter future!
Deliver food to a child in need today.
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