FUNDACION QUERIDO AMIGO, (DEAR FRIENDS of the FOUNDATION): is a nonprofit organization which began in 1998 with the desire to effectively work in the promotion of poor children in Cartagena with programs of education, health formation, recreation and other areas in the improvement of conditions in their daily life. We develop activities that allow these communities to participate actively in their promotion and to further them the opportunity to play an active role of their own development.

OUR PHILOSOPHY: We are not a paternalistic organization. We respect the dignity of the people, and for this reason are training results in strong children and communities providing the space and tools so they can actively participate in the improvement of their daily living conditions. We do not interfere in their cultural identity, or in their religious beliefs.

SOCIAL MISSION: To foment social solidarity developing processes where all who are involved grow as people and build into a new social order of solidarity and human coexistence that ensures the well-being of all.

The DEAR FRIENDS of the FOUNDATION, through its programs, benefits children, and young people in Cartagena de Indies, Colombia, offering them support in education, health, recreation and mental formation.

In the EDUCATION of social and human development of our children we offer formal education programs with approval of the Ministry of Education, from Pre-school to Middle School. Counseling the children will guarantee them to take full advantage of their studies. We also offer psychological aid and special education to those children who are in need.

In HEALTH, we offer general medicine, giving our students free drugs and medicines, tests, and specialist doctors, to those who are in need. Also we continue and promote a program of preventive and formative medicine, with workshops and lectures directed to the mothers. For children less than five years of age, we offer free Breakfast and Lunch with the support from ICBF (the Colombian Family Institute).

In RECREATION, we organize cultural days, where the children participate in folkloric dances, and we also write story contests, drawing contests, civic and sports celebrations of special dates, activities, celebrations, during Christmas time, etc.

In the formation of the integral work with the children we work towards Christian values and morals through workshops with the psychologist. We also work in formative processes of family education, self-esteem, values of honesty, sexuality, etc. All these meetings are held biweekly.

In the formation process we involve the family parents, holding monthly meetings about family living, thrift, sexuality, upbringing, community organization, and prevention of child abuse, and self-esteem. All are aimed to improve the conditions of the life of the children while encourage the parents participation in their children’s education.

With older children we develop a process of training according to their interests as we prepare them for their current and future productive lives.

With mothers, we carry on a process of training in handicrafts toward productive work that can help increase their household income thus improving many of their economic difficulties.

In the process of training and formation with the mothers, we search for improvement in the conditions of the lives of the children.

The funding of the FOUNDATION comes from donations of individuals and companies. Their support sponsors a child or project, as well as we receive pro bono (free) work from professionals.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• SHARE your abilities and knowledge. Organize an activity with the children or the mothers to help them overcome their difficulties and to fulfill their expectations.

• ORGANIZE the gathering of clothes, medicines, tools, toys, books, etc. that can be useful to these children and families in their personal and family growth. Considering the difficult situation across Colombia by natural disasters we can be the bridge of love and solidarity to help bring aid to people and families who are directly in need.

• ORGANIZE the gathering of clothes, medicines, tools, toys, books, etc. that can be useful to these children and families in their personal and family growth. Considering the difficult situation across Colombia by natural disasters we can be the bridge of love and solidarity to help bring aid to people and families who are directly in need.

• VOLUNTEER our projects or those that you wish to organize that could be beneficial to our young children. With are foreign volunteers we can orient them with safe, attractive and economical lodging).

• DONATE materials to improve our efforts in: computers, software, educative material, books, etc.

• TRAINING PROJECT for the young in computer and cell phone maintenance. We make good use of old PCs and cell phones.

• FOSTER a boy or girl with a monthly donation which will influence his/her life and helps their personality and spiritual growth, especially in education.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE IN RETURN:

• The option to choose your foster child: considering sex, age, etc.

• Information from the FOUNDATION on the activities, which benefit your sponsored person and learn how they receive the programs being developed.

• If you wish, we will provide a photo and the social card of the boy or girl you are sponsoring.

• Personal letters from the child or his family.

• If you wish, you can meet him/her personally and talk to his/her family.

• You can visit us in our offices and get to know our work, organization and the administration of the funds. Your visit will be greatly appreciated so that you will attest our work and you can multiply the aid of your relatives and friends.

• You can write to your sponsored child whenever you wish.

DEAR FRIENDS of the FOUNDATION is the bridge between you and your foster child. We insure communications to him/her and personal encounter which will guarantee the privacy of the sponsor.

We all receive great solidarity when we touch each life-despite the distance.

Please don’t hesitate.
BE PART OF THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT!