Colombia: Giving Hope to Children of War

$50 — Purchases 2 weeks' worth of art supplies for a painting class for 15 young people. $250 — Facilitates 10 trauma-counseling sessions for a group of 10 former child soldiers. $500 — Buys equipment for a month-long videography class for 15 young people.

Summary
This project helps young people in Bogota channel the trauma of displacement and war into healthy self-expression through various after-school arts programs, academic tutoring, and counseling.

Project Needs and Beneficiaries
Children in Bogota face aggressive recruitment by 3 different military and paramilitary groups. Many join because they see no other economic options for their lives. Others are simply kidnapped and forced to fight. Currently, children between 8 and 17 account for 25% of all combatants in Colombian conflicts. In the project’s fourth year, 2007, MADRE and partners Taller de Vida provided services to over 3,000 at-risk youth and former child soldiers.

Activities
Project participants are introduced to acting, dancing, capoeira, painting, pottery, videography, photography, and rapping; public exhibitions of student work are held regularly.

Potential Long Term Impact
By engaging in positive activities, building self-esteem, having a safe space off the streets, developing skills, and strengthening social networks, participants’ chances of paramilitary recruitment are significantly reduced.

Project Message
"The paramilitaries kidnapped me and made me fight. I thought I would never escape. Now I have a new life and new friends at Taller de Vida."
- Tania, Former child soldier, Dance troupe participant

Project Sponsor: MADRE, An International Women's Human Rights Org.
Theme: Education | Location: Colombia
Funding to Date: $4,093 | Need:$26,290
Project #1410 on GlobalGiving.com