Returning the Love to Los Pisingos

Rachel Skovdal is organizing this fundraiser.

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At birth, I was placed for adoption. For the first few months of my life, I lived in an orphanage called Los Pisingos in Bogota, Colombia. On February 18, 1991, I joined my forever family, and on March 20, 1991, I was officially adopted.

My parents, brother and grandmother, spent 6 weeks in Bogota during the adoption process. Of the many stories from that time, my favorite is my mom being given a few seconds’ glimpse of a picture of my biological mother. My adoption is a closed adoption where no information about my biological parent is shared. However, understanding the record was sealed, my mom still asked the staff at Los Pisingos for any information they could share about my biological mother. Persistence eventually paid off as my mom was given a quick look at the photo. Apparently, I am the spitting image of my biological mother :). The staff member must have known that someday little Rachel would be asking tons of questions, and giving my mom that quick look would somehow help. And it did. I can’t describe how much knowing I look like my biological mother means to me. With many unknowns about my biological family, this was something concrete I could hold on to.

I am so proud to be adopted. I am so proud to be Colombian. I believe my biological mother did the bravest thing and I have the best life because of her. I am beyond thankful for Los Pisingos who brought me to my forever family.

To this day, Los Pisingos is fully operational! The adoption program is now only one of many programs Los Pisingos provides. Los Pisingos provides support for families experiencing domestic violence by offering therapy and access to resources to assist families in getting out of bad situations. Los Pisingos also specializes in programs for children with learning disabilities by providing services that foster the child's development in both social and educational environments. Their adoption program specializes in assisting older children (over 10 years of age), groups of siblings and children with disabilities. Los Pisingos partners with many local, national and international organizations to provide the best for their children and families.

It has been my dream to go back to Bogota and visit Los Pisingos. I am so happy to have the opportunity to go back finally! On February 15th, Jonas and I will return to Los Pisingos. I have started this GoFundMe page to raise money to donate to Los Pisingos. The donation will go towards sponsoring the children of Los Pisingos in their many programs. I have desired to give back to the place that changed my life for so long. Therefore, I feel very honored that I will deliver the donation personally.

Thank you so much in advance for your donation. Without a doubt, this gift will be greatly appreciated by the staff and children of Los Pisingos. I am so grateful for all of you contributing to a place that played a massive part in my life. Thank you!

Love,

Rachel

Los Pisingos website:

https://www.lospisingos.com/ingles.html