Children of the Andes
Building a better future for vulnerable children in Colombia
Children of the Andes (COTA) offers immediate relief to children across Colombia who have been traumatised by their experiences of violence, poverty and displacement. COTA also promotes longer-term development through a range of education, health, social care and peace-building initiatives. COTA provides financial and technical support to local Colombian NGOs that directly understand the needs of the disadvantaged children.
The Anglo American Group has supported the charity since 2005. During this time, the funding has enabled COTA to work with the Formemos Foundation, which provides education, agricultural training and support to vulnerable rural children. Another beneficiary organisation is the Fundación Colombo-Británica, a day-care nursery providing nutritional, healthcare and early learning support to children from low-income and displaced families.
Most recently, funding from the Anglo American Group Foundation has enabled COTA to cover some of the running costs of another partner organisation, the Bogotá-based Mama Yolanda Children’s Home for former street children. The home is a United Nations-accredited programme providing residential care for 50 boys aged 7-15, most of whom arrive in vulnerable psychological and emotional states, with acute malnutrition and often addicted to drugs.
The donation from the Anglo American Group Foundation has been used to pay for essential resources such as kitchen equipment, and the development of a learning centre equipped with a library and educational materials. It has also funded the salaries of two teachers and a nurse. These staff members provide specialist support to help children to overcome their experiences, working with the children’s relatives where possible, or else linking children with local foster families. COTA’s Bogotá-based field officer will work with the care home in order to monitor progress throughout the year.
The support from the Anglo American Group Foundation enables COTA to continue working directly with Colombian NGOs. This work has a demonstrable benefit in the lives of some of the world’s most deprived children.
To find out more please visit www.childrenoftheandes.org/
Registered charity number: 1075037
