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A Colombian government official announced on 8 September that the country has passed its peak of infection, as the daily increase in new cases is declining. Colombia recently lifted its national health emergency, allowing all sectors of the economy to return to work. In Bogota, where the majority of cases have been reported, restrictions remain in place to control overcrowding in stores. The country plans to reopen its border to international flights on 21 September.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Colombia who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
For the small town of Palmira in Colombia, water is a scarce resource—which makes fending off a pandemic a difficult task. Thankfully, the brother of a tutor at Peniel Child Development Centre offered a solution in the form of a hands-free washing station. Read more open_in_new
The situation
The cities are mostly calm this week, with some candle vigils and less protests.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 0
New information
Fortunately, no children, families, staff or church partners have been directly affected. All are taking precautions to stay away from areas of protests.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the safety of children, families, church partners and staff throughout Colombia.
The situation
The rainy season continues to bring heavy rain throughout Colombia.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 130
New information
The affected families are living in temporary shelters. The local church have supported the families with food and water, as well as emotional and spiritual counselling.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the safety and provision of affected children and families.
The situation
Social unrest was triggered by protesters clashing with police on 9 and 10 September.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 0
New information
Fortunately, no church partners, children or families have been impacted.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety of children, families, church partners and staff throughout Colombia.
The situation
In the northern regions of Colombia they have been experiencing heavy rains and strong winds. The wind has blown roofs off homes and flooding has further damaged homes.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: unknown Number of Compassion assisted children affected: unknown
New information
The staff of CO0540 and CO0521 are assessing impact to children and their families.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision of affected children and families.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, most child development centres in Colombia are temporarily closed. Our local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Colombia typically attend program activities at their local child development centre before or after school. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Colombia.
Devotional time - Children are taught to pray.
Spiritual lessons - Children sing songs and learn Bible stories. Children usually receive their own Bible within a year of joining the Child Sponsorship Program.
Break and snack time - Children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships. They are often provided a snack of biscuits and juice.
Social-emotional lessons - Children learn conflict resolution skills and how to develop healthy self-esteem and a godly character. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
Lunch and social time - Children generally receive a snack and lunch at the centre twice a week. Lunch usually consists of rice and beans. If the children do not receive food at school, the local church aims to provide lunch each day.
Health lessons - Children learn practical health and hygiene lessons.
Letter writing and career planning - Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Children are also encouraged to join in activities such as sports, yearly camps, festivals and spiritual retreats. Students can elect vocational training skills, such as computer maintenance, beauty skills, tailoring, baking and shoe making. Parents and caregivers are invited to workshops on parenting skills.
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
of people lack access to improved sanitation
children under the age of five die per 1000 births
For over five decades, Colombia was wracked by a civil war. The vicious, ongoing fighting left millions of people killed, injured, missing or displaced—many of them children.
The Colombian government estimates that 3.6 million people have been displaced since 2000; 75 per cent are women and children, many of whom now live in shanty towns around major cities and have little access to medical care, education, safe water and basic health services.
FARC (the most notorious and powerful insurgent group) signed a historic peace treaty in 2016 with the government, but splinter groups have rejected the peace deal and trafficking cartels and gangs still control large swaths of the nation. Violence is rising once again. Colombia remains one of the world’s top cocaine producers—and Australia is a significant export market.
Conservative Ivan Duque of the Democratic Centre Party won the Presidential election in 2018, becoming one of the nation’s youngest leaders. So far, his response to the COVID-19 pandemic has won him approval and seen his popularity soar. Yet allegations of vote-rigging and corruption against his administration persist.
And the poorest sections of society, including Colombia’s indigenous people, continue to struggle.
One-third of all Colombian children suffer from anaemia, and approximately 13 per cent of children under five years old suffer growth stunting caused by chronic malnutrition. Around four per cent of children between the ages of five and 14 are involved in child labour, which can interfere with their ability to attend school and expose them to dangerous situations.
Across the country, local churches continue to support and encourage children and their families, reaching out to those in need. With support from Compassion and generous sponsors, these local churches work to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
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As a 14 year old in small-town Colombia, Mateo fell into the trap of trying drugs with his friends and spiralled into addiction. But God had a plan to restore and redeem him through the love of his local church family... Read more
Take a journey around the world at dinner time. Your dining table and kitchen may not look like this, but for these families living in poverty, it’s the time where the laughter and good times occur despite their hardship. .. Read more
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left millions struggling with unemployment and uncertainty. But what will it mean for our world's most vulnerable citizens—children living in poverty?.. Read more