The children who participate in Colombianitos programs have been and are exposed to indescribable violence, forced relocation and severe poverty.  The challenge to improve the quality of these children’s lives – who have developed strong emotional defenses and an aggressive mindset to deal with a life now surrounded by powerful street gangs, crime, drugs and prostitution goes beyond providing economic and/or educational resources. 

Colombianitos’ community-based programs are established and led by skilled local coaches, trainers, program coordinators, counselors and social workers with an in-depth understanding of the respective community issues.  These professionals quickly become role models and leaders for the children while helping to build supportive family environments and a community spirit that nurtures and advances their opportunity to have a healthier, more productive lifestyle.

Goals for a Better Life:

Customized to each community, Goals For A Better Life brings together a winning combination of motivating these children to attend school and be successful in the classroom – while participating in specially designed programs focused on football, ping pong, sports training, music, dance, computer labs, field trips, extracurricular activities and weekend tournaments.

If we have the supplies, at the end of the day after the activities we offer snacks to all participants.

Goals For A Better Life sports and music education also become tools to teach these children personal and social values such as respect, friendship, honesty, tolerance and conflict resolution.  With a special emphasis on addressing the social problems within their communities, children’s families attend workshops focused on one specific value each month to strengthen and reinforce a healthier, more positive lifestyle.

Chess for Peace

In addition for the children enrolled in the “Goles for a Better Life” program, the children are exposed to music, dance and table tennis, and now the children and young people of Puerto Tejada (Cauca) have the opportunity to play chess. Chess for Peace promotes further mental and personal development of its participants; it also supports and values education school.

This program is made possible by support from the international organization PEACE AND SPORT, International and National Federation of Chess, in combination with the support of our donors.

Currently the program is offered in Puerto Tejada, and we hope to implement it in other cities where Colombianitos carries out its programs.

Ping-Pong Peace

Ping-Pong Peace is a program that is part of "Goals for a Better Life" in Colombianitos. Children and young people with limited resources have the opportunity to play table tennis and so spend their free time in a healthy activity, and in turn training in values through the same activity.

Ping-Pong Peace is implemented in three cities (Cartagena, Bogota and Puerto Tejada) and has been possible thanks to the support of the International Organization SPORT AND PEACE, the International Federation of Table Tennis (ITTF) and the Butterfly Company and others donors. With these contributions, children and young people have not just the equipment (tables, rackets, balls and shirts), but also the help of a coach to grow their motivation, practice skills that contribute to their development.

Like all children enrolled in Colombianitos Foundation, these children and young participants have access to other benefits offered by the Foundation such as the School Reinforcement workshops and the opportunity to be part of the Sponsor Plan.