Update on Projects in Colombia
Haroldo Suárez
1. The Magdalena Foundation, Inc.
The work of the Magdalena Foundation continues to produce good
results. This year, seven students will graduate. Rafael Redondo and
Orlando Tejeda will become teachers. Francisco Redondo will graduate
as a doctor in medicine from the University of Magdalena on December
22. Daniel Mendez will be a paramedic, firefighter, and first aid
technician in Medellín. Daniel has worked a lot as a volunteer and
should have no difficulty in getting a job. Roberto Carlos finished
as a computer engineer, works and is helping with the education of a
sister. María Lopez graduated as a special education teacher, works
in Pamplona, and helps a brother who is in college. Elkin Bolaño is
a computer engineer who works in a virtual radio TV station as a
programmer and film producer.
2. Paso a Paso
This educational program for young children had a healthy year.
While some children present a challenge because they have attention
problems, in general they enjoy their affiliation with Paso a Paso.
MFI scholars have done amazing mentoring work with the children.
Paso a Paso supported 25 children in 2008 but in fact, 45 children
benefit from all the mentoring activities, and many aspire to
continue in the program. A remarkable fact about Paso a Paso is that
most parents are involved and support their children’s involvement
in the program.
Paso a Paso has attracted the attention of many people. Gunhild Schwittalia is a young German woman who worked in Colombia on behalf of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (NGO) and became enamored with the program, and with the children and women who have been victims of the violence. She is back in Germany now, working on behalf of Paso a Paso. She is hoping to secure support from family members and friends, each of whom may sponsor a child in Paso a Paso. Some have already pledged to finance a youngster through college
Such support will enhance the size of this great program. In addition, Gunhild is trying to get financing for a project with Fundehumac to work with women victims of the violence in Colombia.
Members of Club El Nogal in Bogotá, who belong to the most affluent circle in Colombia, have also promised to help with Paso a Paso. They would like to build a school to improve the quality of education for these children and offer a clinic to look after their health. They would run the school, as Fundehumac does not presently have the infrastructure to run such a program.
3. Fundehumac
This is the organization that implements The Colombia Project
micro-enterprise loans in Magdalena, Paso a Paso (initiated by FOC),
and the Magdalena Foundation, Inc. (higher education scholarship
program).
The president, Alba Lucía Varela, was named La Mujer Cafam, which is the highest Colombian recognition to a woman who works on behalf of those less privileged. Fundehumac received an honorary mention at the peace prize award ceremony in Bogotá. In December, Fundehumac will host a congress of representatives who work on human rights initiatives in Bogotá. Fundehumac will introduce about 80 women who are now being assisted under a program funded by UNDP in Colombia. Some of those attending the congress want Fundehumac to work on yet another project next year.
All of these developments show that FOC is associated with a very respected, recognized, professional, and honest group of Colombians.
The Peace Corps may not be in Colombia now, but the work of Friends of Colombia is benefiting a great number of Colombians in a very positive way. Education and employment are the pillars of human empowerment and this is the most effective way to eradicate poverty. Friends of Colombia and The Colombia Project are doing just that.