Supporting New Arrivals from Venezuela to Colombia

Over the past few months, our team has been hard at work supporting resilience building through multi-sectoral programs in the communities we serve.

Safe Drinking Water for Isla Grande

In June, we celebrated the installation of the EZPack Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System in Isla Grande. Historically, this 1300-strong community has dealt with enormous challenges relating to access to water, public services, and water management. They now have improved access to safe drinking water - up to 2000 liters per day. The community has played an integral part in the construction and installation process, and the new 'water guardians' will continue to monitor and manage any necessary repairs. We were honored to be joined by the Mayor of Cartagena and local government representatives at the inauguration ceremony.

Strengthening Resilience through Emotion 

In June, we wrapped up another Child Protective Spaces cycle in Colombia. IsraAID Colombia operates CPSs in Barranquilla, Soledad, and Cartagena departments, where many mixed migrants live. These serve as hubs for community-wide support mechanisms, including educational programs for children; informal arts and sports activities that promote integration with the host community; and support groups for caregivers, which focus on stress management and positive parenting. Programming commenced again in August when 150 children and adolescents started the new cycle. We're excited to begin an exciting round of learning, fun, games, and protection support at Ciudad Cangrejo, El Paraíso, and Los Guacamayos.

IsraAID also recently organized an event at The Coast University in Barranquilla on the topic of emotional validation as a means to enhance resilience in children and adolescents.  Expert protection and education panelists from various national and international organizations came together to reflect, exchange knowledge, and share best practices. Conversation centered on the importance of dismantling myths and prejudices around what  “valid” emotions look like and creating safe spaces where children and adolescents can express their feelings freely. The thought provoking dialogue will pave the way for future collaborations toward challenging harmful social norms and improving child protection programming.

Weaving Dreams Through Livelihood Programs

IsraAID’s livelihood program, aptly named Tejiendo Mis Sueños (Weaving My Dreams), continues to support mixed migrants  to earn sustainable income through dignified, meaningful work. We recently partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)  to expand this program to 200 people in Villa Caracas, Barranquilla. Just last month, 55 entrepreneurs received seed capital after completing enriching business skills training. During the training, our entrepreneurs gain key skills in financial education, marketing, management, and business plan development, among other key topics for their personal and professional growth.

World Refugee Day

“It’s very difficult to leave your country, leaving behind families, your land, your people, your customs, your roots”

On World Refugee Day (June 20) this year, we sat down with members of the migrant and local host communities at several of our missions across the globe. In Colombia, we spoke with Angi and Joleth, both guardians of children attending IsraAID’s programs at the Ciudad Cangrejo CPS. In the link below, discover what they shared with us about what they have learned from one another  and their heartfelt desires to impart mutual understanding.

Thank you for your support!

Links:

• https://www.israaid.org/media/world-refugee-day-breaking-the-stigma/?fbclid=IwAR3ZnEojFIdSUl98JkxhdnDjUMlLFW2tdOPwR7vegl0xqOMWMG

Since 2019, IsraAID has been working in Colombia to support Venezuelan migrants and Colombian returnees with psychosocial support, integration-supporting education, livelihood training, and more. Below are a few updates from across our different activities.

In the city of Riohacha, our Protection team led a mental health and self-care workshop for other NGO staff members and female community leaders that work with vulnerable communities. These leaders are currently participating in a course aimed at understanding gender-specific issues within Colombia. The workshop that we ran offered tools to bolster emotional resilience for the staff members who are faced with new challenges every day. Including self-care tools in our programs provides essential skills that can be used by anyone, humanitarian workers and community members. 

This month we launched a new cycle in all of our Child Friendly Spaces - Los Guacamayos, Ciudad Cangrejo, and Paraíso. During this cycle, each protective space will focus on addressing psycho-pedagogical issues to strengthen the skills of children and adolescents that have moved to the area in recent years and are dealing with integrating into a new school system. The staff will also work with family members and caregivers to promote active participation and support at home.

As part of our 'Resilient Youth' project, we further developed the soccer field outside our Barranquilla Child Friendly Space with an inclusive fence and supporters' benches with sun protection, strengthening this space as a hub for both sport and other community needs. To celebrate the upgrade, participants from our Livelihood program that now work in food or catering provided delicious treats for everyone involved.

We have been working to expand the reach of our Livelihood program by hosting information sessions in new communities. In Isla La Loma, we participated in a Services Fair where we spoke about our employability track and corresponding psychosocial support, later signing up 20 people for the program.

Thank you for supporting vulnerable communities in Colombia.