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For the past month, I've been volunteering with an organization called Fundación Mamá Yolanda in Bogota, Colombia. They have two houses for boys aged 7-12 and 13-18. The boys are there for a variety of reasons. For some, it's protection against abusive families or gangs. For others, it's a better alternative to prison. For others, it's therapy from drug addictions. Many of the boys have children of their own, as well as scars from their days living on the streets.
Despite their pasts, the boys at Mama Yolanda are some of the happiest kids I've ever seen! They are very eager and enthusiastic about learning, and they have a lot of fun playing games with us. Unfortunately, they don't have much opportunity for fun in their lives. For their own safety and to prevent them from running away, they are never allowed to go outside. There is a small, 20x20 ft courtyard, surrounded by walls where they spend about an hour a day playing in. Apart from some thread that they use to make bracelets for us and each other, they have no toys or recreational equipment.
I have been talking to the volunteer coordinators about options for purchasing a basketball hoop, pull-up bar, soccer goals, and other sports equipment to give them the opportunity to play like normal boys. Unfortunately, the organization has very limited funds for things like this, and it is unlikely that they will be able to make this happen. The organization is also in need of school and art supplies, clothing and shoes, and general building maintenance supplies.
I have decided to set up this GoFundMe account to raise donations to help this become a real possibility for them. I will only be there through March 30, as I leave for my six-week volunteer period in Peru the following day. I would like to be able to purchase some items for them and present them while I'm still there. If you are willing to help, I would really appreciate it!
The bracelets pictured above were made for me by two of the boys. Taking photos of the boys while volunteering is not allowed for their own protection, but I will be allowed to take one picture with them on my last day.
http://funmamayolanda.org/trabaje.php
Despite their pasts, the boys at Mama Yolanda are some of the happiest kids I've ever seen! They are very eager and enthusiastic about learning, and they have a lot of fun playing games with us. Unfortunately, they don't have much opportunity for fun in their lives. For their own safety and to prevent them from running away, they are never allowed to go outside. There is a small, 20x20 ft courtyard, surrounded by walls where they spend about an hour a day playing in. Apart from some thread that they use to make bracelets for us and each other, they have no toys or recreational equipment.
I have been talking to the volunteer coordinators about options for purchasing a basketball hoop, pull-up bar, soccer goals, and other sports equipment to give them the opportunity to play like normal boys. Unfortunately, the organization has very limited funds for things like this, and it is unlikely that they will be able to make this happen. The organization is also in need of school and art supplies, clothing and shoes, and general building maintenance supplies.
I have decided to set up this GoFundMe account to raise donations to help this become a real possibility for them. I will only be there through March 30, as I leave for my six-week volunteer period in Peru the following day. I would like to be able to purchase some items for them and present them while I'm still there. If you are willing to help, I would really appreciate it!
The bracelets pictured above were made for me by two of the boys. Taking photos of the boys while volunteering is not allowed for their own protection, but I will be allowed to take one picture with them on my last day.
http://funmamayolanda.org/trabaje.php