In the remote villages of Palomino, Northern Colombia, the population was living under the constant fear of paramilitary activity and people being forcibly displaced for a long time. Still today it is characterised by poverty and a general lack of perspective. Tourism has brought some economic activity in the recent years. However, following the crisis in Venezuela, the numbers of incoming Venezuelan refugees has skyrocketed, which has affected these border regions in particular.
Children are often home alone or in the streets as they have nothing to play with and often struggle at school. Their parents lack the educational background and thus, have limited possibilities to support them. Basic needs such as a quiet spot to do their homework or toys that support their intellectual development are missing, leaving the children bored and frustrated in the streets. They have little perspectives for their own future leading into a downward spiral of getting involved in criminal activities or becoming parents at a very young age too and then the cycle starts to repeat with their own children.
The foundation aims to educate the children of the village so that they can have a better future. Ten years ago we built a nursery and later a playroom. This has allowed us to get to know the children better and we realised the need for teh parents to become more involved in the academic life of the youngsters. Nevertheless, some vulnerable families with low levels of education, poverty, and socio-economic problems led some their kids between 9 and 14 years old to drop out of school.
We put all our energy in recovering the schooling of these children to prevent them from being condemned to a future without options. Thus, in February 2021, we were lucky enough to meet the directors of CAN PACK COLOMBIA, who became aware of this community and approved the educational project “Finish your high school”. You will find more details here.
In 2007, Denis Heilporn, a Belgian citizen, started social work in the area by providing daily meals to children. Sadly, Denis Heilporn passed away in 2009 and Javier Palacio initiated the foundation in his honor, following the request of his mother Andrée Heilporn Marissal. His initiative has grown over the years and today we employ local staff as well as provide the necessary facilities in order to create a perspective for the ones in need. We aim to keep administrative cost to an absolute minimum, donations go directly to the local community of Marquetalia. Javier runs the foundation ad honorem and all efforts in connection with the foundation are fully voluntary. With the generous support of donors we are able to give them access to educational books, toys and basic healthcare.
Children between 0 and 5 years can play in the foundation’s nursery.
Daily activities for children, using games and toys to stimulate physical and mental development as well as social interaction.
We provide daily homework support for children with difficulties.
Covers all primary and secondary school subjects, with personalised attention and the aim of reintegrating kids into school, improving their self-esteem, developing the skills of their educational cycles, so that they can complete their studies.
There is a reading space and books are provided
Due to the considerable distance to the nearest university, we facilitate distance learning and to teach essential IT skills, including Word, Excel, and basic coding.
