In the Beginning (by Jane)

There is so much background to this blog, it's hard to know where to start. The very beginning, of course, the impetus for this mission of Friends of Colombian Orphans began in 2005, in Austin, Texas. Kidsave International and their Summer Miracles program Here brought 11 or 12 orphaned children from Colombia to central Texas for a holiday.The kids supposedly didn't know that they were here to find a home. One child, a girl of 14, hadn't found a family .... yet. She is now our daughter.

The adoption is a story in itself and perhaps will be shared here some day. But more importantly, this blog is to show you what can be done if there is simply a will to do it. My husband and I visited our daughter's orphanage a few times before we left Colombia. We visited three orphanages and were overwhelmed by the spirit and warmth of the children and their caretakers. How could we just leave and never go back? What can you do from so far away?

We found a way to help.Here are a few photos of kids at Fundacion Nina Maria in Chia. The young mom was a victim of rape thrown out of the family home. She will stay at Fundacion for a while and faces an uncertain future.

Young mom

Wild boys!

Fundacion Nina Maria kids

We spent most of our time at Ciudadela de la Nina in Madrid, just outside of Bogota. This institution houses 200 girls at the moment. Most of them have been abandoned by their families.

Ciudadela girls

Muchas ninas

More girls

Their living quarters were run down. Windows were broken. Beds were sagging with only blankets to protect the girls from the cold (Bogota is at 7000 ft. and it is always chilly there.) There is not enough hot water for every girl to have a shower. Their clothing is all donated and some are beyond serviceable. The onsite school does not have supplies. We were overwhelmed by the need. The government provides about 60% in funding for each child's upkeep. The other 40% is nonexistent...