Children's aid colombia, wheel view

Kinderhilfe was founded in 1979 by a private initiative and has been a non-profit organization for more than 30 years, based in Jesteburg (Germany) and legally represented in Colombia.

Projects exist in the cities of Pasto, Medellin and Popayan and the work is aimed at families who live in great poverty and are affected by the acts of violence by the unfortunately still existing guerrilla forces. They had to give up land and their usual life and moved to cities, where they live in simple wooden or corrugated iron huts on the outskirts. And that’s where the approach to helping children lies. It offers a place for young and old and opens its doors every day in order to offer the children a second (and sometimes even a) home. Donations, project and sponsorship programs provide children and their families with numerous opportunities for support. They receive individual support in all situations, a balanced and healthy diet, they can go to school too go, even complete an apprenticeship, receive all-day care with a variety of activities and their parents are given the opportunity to find work. CHILDREN’S AID offers a way out of daily fear, misery, violence and hunger. It is a shelter, provides security and security and is open to everyone, regardless of their origin. With individual support and support, around 500 children are looked after and supported with great dedication and passion every day.

In the year we became aware of this association and its great work. Together we decided to do our practical semester in Popayan as part of our social work studies. Here we came across open arms and ears from the start. Ute Sonntag, the head of the association, enabled us to have a time that we experienced intensely and that was very moving. We were allowed to “stay” in Popayan for 3 months, walk along, gain insights and experiences, expand and apply our knowledge and were thrilled and infected by this passion, dedication and the big heart of good work. We left Popayan with wistful thoughts and very great memories and experiences. Since then we have been members of the association, have a sponsored child and thanks to our good friends and family there are also other sponsors and project sponsorships. We also initiated a large donation bazaar in our hometown every year and were able to collect and donate more than 5,000 euros.

… .Today we are 7 years older, finished with studying, both were in permanent employment and decided to go on a big world tour in 2014. We wanted to go back to the place, to help children in Popayan. And…. we have returned after 7 years and over 9,000 pedaled kilometers and we celebrated great reunion with all employees and children who are still working today. What a moment with goosebumps and tears of joy and yet the feeling of having only been here last month. We went through all the houses one after the other, there was a lot going on changed, in the club and also in the city itself. Modern, versatile and still with a big heart. The Casita 2 has moved a few years ago. A big house, with a nice garden, with more space and lots of children. The offer also expanded, because what is new (for us) is that every Saturday we cook on a voluntary basis and that many children receive a healthy, warm lunch – which is gratefully accepted.

The Casa Ursula is still filled with small, brown googly eyes and next to the kindergarten, there is now also a children’s flu. 12 small rompers discover and explore the world and snore competitively in lovingly furnished rooms.

Children we still know have become big senoritas and chicos. What makes us shine is not only the fact that many used their opportunity and completed an apprenticeship or study – also – that so many matured people follow in the footsteps of the "big" and take responsibility for the little ones. The sponsored children became employees and volunteers who support the association and its work every day with the same dedication and passion.

And our godchild Adrian has also grown many centimeters, adorns himself with hair gel and speaks to us in a rough, male voice. We still remember well, so many chess and domino rounds. Today we are talking about wishes for the future, riding motorcycles and one or two puberty problems. A lot has changed for Adrian and his family. The government offered them a new one At home and so they settled from their wooden walls into concrete walls last year. Large "prefabricated buildings" were built with electricity, running water and lockable windows. A change that is not necessarily better or easier for the family. Because even if they do not have to pay rent, there are additional costs and taxes that did not previously exist. This has to be earned first of all and also taken care of the physical well-being. Nevertheless, it is a different way of life. Instead of 10 people in 2 rooms, they now live in 3 apartments, on different floors, with the same rights and obligations as other Colombians.

We were allowed to enter and hugged the family. We all remembered well back then and spent a wonderful and interesting afternoon with Adrian and his family. We said goodbye with many thanks and innumerable good words. Another goosebump moment.

Almost all of them have nothing in their pockets. There is no lack of love from parents to their children. Their problems are more existential – little money for food, little work and sometimes very bad living conditions. This makes us sad because we have so much! But what many parents and especially the women of the club have in common – and not too short – is a huge big heart. It pulsates and shines anyway. People share, play, laugh, joke, feel together and ALWAYS think of each other. This spurs us on, it fascinates us with the dedication and courage with which they go their way, even though there are so many stones, big and small, in front of them. They all have dreams as we know them. Only a few have the slightest chance of realizing this.

We were able to realize our dream and return to child help. We shared our experiences of the trip with all children and employees and tested our equipment for mass suitability.

Thank you very much, dear CHILDREN’S AID. You are great, great, brave and very, very good role models. How valuable it is to get outside help; how nice it is to have people who become sponsors and thus support the future and a better life. And how great that there are people who help to solve everyday problems every day and who always have open eyes, ears and, above all, poor people!

Full steam ahead, we are always there in our thoughts and wish you all the best from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for the experiences, pictures, moments and moments, the kindness, your arms, patience and understanding.

Your chicas de bicicleta…. Anna and Claudia

Children’s aid colombia, wheel view

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