11 GIRLS
0 DOUBLE ORPHANS
ORPHAN CRISIS IN COLOMBIA
Colombia is a beautiful country, known for its colorful culture, music, and lush landscapes. However, over the past 40 years, Colombia has been riddled by internal conflict and natural disasters which have resulted in millions of its population being displaced. This conflict has been largely supported through the drug trade. Due to recent paramilitary demobilization, many insurgents act out in attacks against civilians, especially in large areas of the countryside. Unfortunately, this problem has lent itself to a higher rate of orphans without a home. These children are also at risk of being recruited to gangs, forced into child labor and human trafficking rings. They need the immediate safety of homes like Casa Shalom to protect them from the vulnerabilities they would otherwise face.
SAFE HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOME
In 2001, a local pastor who feared for safety of homeless girls, founded a home for them near Cota, Colombia. Safe House is a home for girls only, because the Colombian government prohibits orphanages with both boys and girls. Since it opened, Safe House has seen more than 68 girls restored, healed, returned to families, and equipped with an education. The beautiful facility currently houses 11 girls who receive counseling, attend school, and learn about computers, sewing, the culinary arts, and farming. This team believes that by offering the girls a secure, nurturing environment and a variety of spiritual and developmental programs, they will gain confidence and become empowered to rise above their past circumstances. Your donation to Safe House is an investment in the lives and souls of innocent young girls who otherwise would fall into a perpetual cycle of abuse.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
Sex Trafficking
Colombia acts as a source, transit and destination country for sex trafficking, making it the third highest country for victims in Latin America. An estimated 70,000 victims are trafficked out of Colombia each year alone.
Conflict
Decades of conflict has created an unsafe environment for the children of Colombia. The country has the second-highest population of displaced people in the world.
Drug Abuse and Crime
With the problems of sex trafficking and a drug trade that is running rampant, children living on the streets and those from impoverished areas are more prone to violence and recruitment into a life of crime.
HOME
Providing children with protection through a home is the first step in their restoration. Safe House does just that with their facility housing 15 girls, helping them adapt to their new surroundings. A few updates to the home, including furniture, fencing, windows, and new bedding, would allow Safe House to continue the work they are doing. Since SOW has partnered with Safe House, generous donations have been made to provide the home with a form of transportation.
EDUCATION
Safe House rejoices because the Jireh school, which is affiliated with the orphanage, has completed 1 year in their new location. The school provides full scholarships for every girl at Safe House, and discounted tuition for needy students in the vicinity. Over 200 boys and girls from preschool through high school are currently enrolled in the school!
FAITH
Through offering the girls a nurturing environment and spiritual guidance, this team believes that they can rise above their past circumstances with confidence. They invest in the lives of every girl who finds a home in Safe House, showing them the unfailing love of Christ.
HEALTH
The children have access to proper medical care, and are always taken care of when they are sick. The children are served 3 nourishing meals a day, consisting of grains, vegetables, and protein. They run a project called Operation Love Soup Kitchen that serves more than 400 children once a week, along with the elderly, widows, and mothers. Safe House is truly making an impact in their community; please consider joining in this meaningful work.
SPONSOR THIS HOME
Safe House Colombia – Sponsorship Needs
$700 of $12,000 raised
This year, we have a goal to help improve the quality of care for these amazing children, and we need your help. Your gift will help provide education, a safe home, health, and adult mentors who can share the Love of Christ. Our promise to you is that 100% will go directly to the home.