FAMILY VOLUNTEERING: RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS

MAKING A DIFFERENCE doesn't just happen, it requires focus, commitment and everybody's input.

When you live in a third-world country, i.e. Colombia, it is very difficult to ignore the poverty, the misery, the helplessness of a large part of the population, namely the children. Deeply touched by the tragic stories of many of these children and moved by a sincere belief that we are all responsible for making a difference, our family became involved in a project to aid the Maria del Carmen School in the Barrio Bonilla Aragon in the District of Aguablanca in Cali, Colombia.

The school, directed by Sister Edith Palomo, has 90 children ages 5-14. The institution also has a shelter which houses 25 children Monday through Friday. These children are considered high risk', many of which are victims of rape and child abuse. The personal story of each of these children is a dramatic account of pain, humiliation and rejection. The neighborhood is considered one of the most violent in the city. The purpose of the institution is to provide the children with a basic education complemented by a heroic effort to counter the influence of the environment in which these children live. The school looks to teach these children values, respect, and tolerance and contribute to the building of their self-esteem. This effort allows these children to lead healthy productive lives become useful citizens, conscious of their own self worth and capable of making a contribution to better their environment. The school does not receive any aid from government entities and endeavors to raise the necessary cash amongst friends and parents every month to keep afloat.

Our family is contributing US$500 every month to this cause. Most of this stipend is being used to purchase food for the children (breakfast, lunch, and a snack is provided at the school and dinner is served at the shelter) and to pay for a mental health counselor. During the summer months, most of these funds are used to pay for three teachers conducting a summer school session for 25 children. During the school year that has just commenced my husband will be teaching music, with an emphasis on Colombian folk music, and I will be teaching English to a group of 18 children.

The school's infrastructure is lacking in many basic elements. We have many projects in mind that we will look to develop gradually with our personal resources and donations from friends who sympathize with the cause and wish to make a difference as well. One of these projects has to do with a large roof terrace at the school which is at present largely unfinished and unusable. The funds we are able to raise will allow us to build the basic infrastructure necessary to render this a multi-purpose recreational area for the children.

Although a small contribution in comparison to the overwhelming needs of the less fortunate, we feel our family is giving back a little of all the blessings received throughout our lifetime. Being there, at the school, hands-on, receiving and giving hugs to the children, listening to their plights, experiences and dreams is a very rewarding and enriching way to continue growing and expanding the learning experience that life constitutes.

Learn more about this author, Diana Romero.
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