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I had the opportunity to volunteer at the homes of Mama Yolanda in Bogota, Colombia; an orphanage as well as a place of refuge for those that have been abused or discarded by their families. This experience has truly changed me forever. When people come back from volunteer trips you always hear them say “the kids changed me or impacted me more than I helped them.” It is difficult to believe until you encounter it for yourself. The stories of what these children have endured in their young lives is gut wrenching and heart breaking. Yet they always have smiles on their faces.
The first couple of days were spent at the Casa de la Madre y el Nino house which held 127 children, ages newborn to 12 years old. These are children who have been taken from their families due to abuse or given up by their families. These children are waiting to be adopted and on February, 11 of them will be fortunate enough to go to new families in the USA.
The rest of my time was spent two houses of Mama Yolanda which housed 48 boys- one ages 6-12 years old and boys ages 12-17 in the other. The boys are under legal protection because of their vulnerability living on the streets. The goal of the homes is to provide a family environment and welfare to facilitate the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development of the boys as well as instilling in them the values, rights and responsibilities crucial to living a fulfilling life. The house provides schooling, has them doing daily chores and rewards them for good behavior.
Many of these boys called the streets of Colombia their home. Streets filled with homeless people and drug addicts. You can only imagine the horrifying stories they shared from their experiences. Some of them have been abused by other homeless people, others turned to drugs to keep the hunger away since they did not have money for food and some have even stabbed other street people to escape being raped or killed.
All of these boys have gone through more than you could ever possibly imagine, yet instead of being mean and tough as one would expect, they are happy and appreciative. Their eyes are filled with joy and their smiles light up a room. They ache for someone to love them. When we told the boys we weren’t getting paid to hangout with them for hours each day, they didn’t believe us. They asked why we would want to come see them. We celebrated a birthday while there and we had to bring the cake, Oreos, snacks and soda. Some of the boys didn’t even understand that a birthday was special and meant to be celebrated.
The people of Mama Yolanda are trying their best with the limited resources they have to provide for these boys and give the older ones skills that are transferrable once they leave, which is usually a year. ( or when they are 18). The San Jorge House has a bakery that sells breads and treats made by the boys to earn much needed funds just to buy food for them. But much more is needed!!!
The house where they are living is in devastating shape and in much need of repair. The walls are bare, the windows have bars and there is no hot water. Imagine taking a cold shower every day! The roof is has numerous holes and leaks and drips on them everytime it rains.
The younger boys are all trying to learn English and are really in need of toys, games, and old CD players/walkman and CD’s. The older boys are being taught how to be young men and get jobs once they leave. Old IPads, laptops, video game consoles and games, clothes, musical instruments and accessories would help. Mama Yolanda is working on getting internet to the house which will allow the boys to use apps to learn English and other skills. One boy has taught himself to play the guitar and writes a song every other day. I am happy to share the videos of him singing with you.
I am hoping that after you have read the plight of the Mama Yolanda house and these boys, you will find it in your heart to donate money and/or electronics, clothes, etc. to help these boys achieve their dreams, live in a clean, dry home, give them proper hygiene and rebuild their lives. For many of these boys, this is their only chance since adoption is out of the question due to their age and background.
My goal is to raise $6,000 which will be used to fix the roof and bring hot water to the house. Any remaining funds would be used to fund other projects, purchase clothes, toys, computers, etc. No amount is too small--even $5.00--one daily Starbuck--will make such an impact. For example, $20.00 buys multiple outfits and 1000 Colombian pesos ( about $.30 cents) buys a few apples and a small bottle of water. The funds will be personally delivered by me when I return early summer.
I have attached pictures of bracelets, paintings and drawings the boys made me while I was there spending time and teaching them English. One boy gave me the first bracelet he made when he got to the house. He told me to make a wish for him and don’t take it off because then the wish won’t come true and then I will forget about him.
These boys are trying to find their talents so they can make a better life for themselves when they must leave Mama Yolanda. If you can make a $50 donation, they will paint a picture or make you a bracelet.
My life has been impacted by this trip in more ways than any words will ever be able to express. Rewatching all the videos and looking at the pictures during my 7 hour plane ride home, my eyes filled with tears and my heart was heavy not knowing if I will be able to help all of them. We are all privileged and fortunate for the lives we lead. I encourage all the young people reading this to please go thank your parents or loved ones for everything they have done for you and hug them a little harder today!
Since the boys are under protection we are not allowed to post pictures of them on social media sites. If you would like to see pictures please let me know. I am happy to share all the pictures and vidoes from the trip privately.
I have a power point about the foundation which I am happy to share with you. Please contact me if you are intertested in learning more.
AGAIN, PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEARTS TO DONATE AND HELP THESE BOYS. SHOW THEM THEY ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED- THE TWO THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THEIR WHOLE LIVES!
YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
The first couple of days were spent at the Casa de la Madre y el Nino house which held 127 children, ages newborn to 12 years old. These are children who have been taken from their families due to abuse or given up by their families. These children are waiting to be adopted and on February, 11 of them will be fortunate enough to go to new families in the USA.
The rest of my time was spent two houses of Mama Yolanda which housed 48 boys- one ages 6-12 years old and boys ages 12-17 in the other. The boys are under legal protection because of their vulnerability living on the streets. The goal of the homes is to provide a family environment and welfare to facilitate the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development of the boys as well as instilling in them the values, rights and responsibilities crucial to living a fulfilling life. The house provides schooling, has them doing daily chores and rewards them for good behavior.
Many of these boys called the streets of Colombia their home. Streets filled with homeless people and drug addicts. You can only imagine the horrifying stories they shared from their experiences. Some of them have been abused by other homeless people, others turned to drugs to keep the hunger away since they did not have money for food and some have even stabbed other street people to escape being raped or killed.
All of these boys have gone through more than you could ever possibly imagine, yet instead of being mean and tough as one would expect, they are happy and appreciative. Their eyes are filled with joy and their smiles light up a room. They ache for someone to love them. When we told the boys we weren’t getting paid to hangout with them for hours each day, they didn’t believe us. They asked why we would want to come see them. We celebrated a birthday while there and we had to bring the cake, Oreos, snacks and soda. Some of the boys didn’t even understand that a birthday was special and meant to be celebrated.
The people of Mama Yolanda are trying their best with the limited resources they have to provide for these boys and give the older ones skills that are transferrable once they leave, which is usually a year. ( or when they are 18). The San Jorge House has a bakery that sells breads and treats made by the boys to earn much needed funds just to buy food for them. But much more is needed!!!
The house where they are living is in devastating shape and in much need of repair. The walls are bare, the windows have bars and there is no hot water. Imagine taking a cold shower every day! The roof is has numerous holes and leaks and drips on them everytime it rains.
The younger boys are all trying to learn English and are really in need of toys, games, and old CD players/walkman and CD’s. The older boys are being taught how to be young men and get jobs once they leave. Old IPads, laptops, video game consoles and games, clothes, musical instruments and accessories would help. Mama Yolanda is working on getting internet to the house which will allow the boys to use apps to learn English and other skills. One boy has taught himself to play the guitar and writes a song every other day. I am happy to share the videos of him singing with you.
I am hoping that after you have read the plight of the Mama Yolanda house and these boys, you will find it in your heart to donate money and/or electronics, clothes, etc. to help these boys achieve their dreams, live in a clean, dry home, give them proper hygiene and rebuild their lives. For many of these boys, this is their only chance since adoption is out of the question due to their age and background.
My goal is to raise $6,000 which will be used to fix the roof and bring hot water to the house. Any remaining funds would be used to fund other projects, purchase clothes, toys, computers, etc. No amount is too small--even $5.00--one daily Starbuck--will make such an impact. For example, $20.00 buys multiple outfits and 1000 Colombian pesos ( about $.30 cents) buys a few apples and a small bottle of water. The funds will be personally delivered by me when I return early summer.
I have attached pictures of bracelets, paintings and drawings the boys made me while I was there spending time and teaching them English. One boy gave me the first bracelet he made when he got to the house. He told me to make a wish for him and don’t take it off because then the wish won’t come true and then I will forget about him.
These boys are trying to find their talents so they can make a better life for themselves when they must leave Mama Yolanda. If you can make a $50 donation, they will paint a picture or make you a bracelet.
My life has been impacted by this trip in more ways than any words will ever be able to express. Rewatching all the videos and looking at the pictures during my 7 hour plane ride home, my eyes filled with tears and my heart was heavy not knowing if I will be able to help all of them. We are all privileged and fortunate for the lives we lead. I encourage all the young people reading this to please go thank your parents or loved ones for everything they have done for you and hug them a little harder today!
Since the boys are under protection we are not allowed to post pictures of them on social media sites. If you would like to see pictures please let me know. I am happy to share all the pictures and vidoes from the trip privately.
I have a power point about the foundation which I am happy to share with you. Please contact me if you are intertested in learning more.
AGAIN, PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEARTS TO DONATE AND HELP THESE BOYS. SHOW THEM THEY ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED- THE TWO THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THEIR WHOLE LIVES!
YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.