Fundación Madrid Campestre in Medellin

Medellin

Help us #BuildABetterWorld for at-risk populations in Medellin

Fundación Madrid Campestre in Medellin

Help support our initiative and continued partnership with Fundación Madrid Campestre, a local nonprofit in Medellin, Colombia. Fundación Madrid Campestre has been actively addressing the many prevalent socioeconomic conditions affecting the growing underserved population living in the barrios of Medellin, Colombia. With years of experience helping their community, their goal has been to enhance the long-term health outcomes and upward socioeconomic mobility of the populations they serve, striving to break the cycle of poverty.

Fundación Madrid Campestre serves children and families with limited resource by providing education, nutritious food, emotional, and psychological support. They are focused on to addressing and preventing sexual abuse, domestic, and social violence within the community. Fundación Madrid Campestre hopes to help individuals and families by constructing houses, providing food and education, and nurturing a supportive community. At iHelp it is our goal to support their iniative and contribute to their mission in new and innovative ways.

Distributing donations to the children in December.
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Foundación Madrid Campestre is a non-profit organization established in 1985. It was born out of the necessity to assist the community in the El Pesebre neighborhood due to their limited resources. The foundation initiated activities related to Christmas, market management, aid in house construction, and support for children who lacked access to education.

The Foundation operates 5 child centers in the neighborhoods of Blanquizal, Calasanz, Olaya Herrera, and Palenque. The majority of the served population is characterized by high vulnerability, classified under strata 1, 2, and 3, making them a priority for the comprehensive care provided by the child centers. These include children, adults, and migrants who are in the process of legalizing their stay in the country. This adds to the overall unemployment issue for both locals and foreigners.

It’s important to note that in many families, both significant figures don’t have a secure and stable income. As a result, there’s a lack of adequate care and safety conditions for their nutritional and health rights during the day. There’s also a lack of a reliable support network for care during their time at home. This often involves dysfunctional family structures, where one parent is absent from child-rearing. Additionally, overcrowding in small homes with extended family members is common.

Given the economic and social challenges in the country, significant adults, including pregnant and lactating mothers, are often required to leave home early for long working hours to provide for their families. This emphasizes the issue of unequal wages, sometimes leading to extended working hours. As a result, children are compelled to spend almost the entire day (8 hours) at the child centers, which become a second home for them. These centers provide up to 70% of their daily meals, highlighting the limited quality time available during the week. Some children may have up to three different caregivers until their parents return late at night due to household demands.

Over the 38 years of its operation, the foundation has provided assistance to over 10,000 children from various vulnerable neighborhoods in the city of Medellín. Currently, 475 children aged 2 to 5 from Medellín receive free care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. They are guaranteed 70% of their meals and receive support from teachers, nutritionists, psychosocial workers, and special educators.

The foundation also organizes various cultural events celebrating Colombian traditions, including Children’s Day, Family Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and more, all part of the institutional project “La Magia de Compartir” (The Magic of Sharing). This project aims to collect donations such as food, clothing, toys, and other gifts to bring joy, fun, and smiles to these special days.

Madrid Campestre Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1985. It was born out of the necessity to assist the community in the El Pesebre neighborhood due to their limited resources. The foundation initiated activities related to Christmas, market management, aid in house construction, and support for children who lacked access to education.

The Foundation operates 5 child centers in the neighborhoods of Blanquizal, Calasanz, Olaya Herrera, and Palenque. The majority of the served population is characterized by high vulnerability, classified under strata 1, 2, and 3, making them a priority for the comprehensive care provided by the child centers. These include children, adults, and migrants who are in the process of legalizing their stay in the country. This adds to the overall unemployment issue for both locals and foreigners.

It’s important to note that in many families, both significant figures don’t have a secure and stable income. As a result, there’s a lack of adequate care and safety conditions for their nutritional and health rights during the day. There’s also a lack of a reliable support network for care during their time at home. This often involves dysfunctional family structures, where one parent is absent from child-rearing. Additionally, overcrowding in small homes with extended family members is common.

Given the economic and social challenges in the country, significant adults, including pregnant and lactating mothers, are often required to leave home early for long working hours to provide for their families. This emphasizes the issue of unequal wages, sometimes leading to extended working hours. As a result, children are compelled to spend almost the entire day (8 hours) at the child centers, which become a second home for them. These centers provide up to 70% of their daily meals, highlighting the limited quality time available during the week. Some children may have up to three different caregivers until their parents return late at night due to household demands.

Over the 38 years of its operation, the foundation has provided assistance to over 10,000 children from various vulnerable neighborhoods in the city of Medellín. Currently, 475 children aged 2 to 5 from Medellín receive free care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. They are guaranteed 70% of their meals and receive support from teachers, nutritionists, psychosocial workers, and special educators.

The foundation also organizes various cultural events celebrating Colombian traditions, including Children’s Day, Family Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and more, all part of the institutional project “La Magia de Compartir” (The Magic of Sharing). This project aims to collect donations such as food, clothing, toys, and other gifts to bring joy, fun, and smiles to these special days.

is a non-profit organization established in 1985. It was born out of the necessity to assist the community in the El Pesebre neighborhood due to their limited resources. The foundation initiated activities related to Christmas, market management, aid in house construction, and support for children who lacked access to education.

The Foundation operates 5 child centers in the neighborhoods of Blanquizal, Calasanz, Olaya Herrera, and Palenque. The majority of the served population is characterized by high vulnerability, classified under strata 1, 2, and 3, making them a priority for the comprehensive care provided by the child centers. These include children, adults, and migrants who are in the process of legalizing their stay in the country. This adds to the overall unemployment issue for both locals and foreigners.

It’s important to note that in many families, both significant figures don’t have a secure and stable income. As a result, there’s a lack of adequate care and safety conditions for their nutritional and health rights during the day. There’s also a lack of a reliable support network for care during their time at home. This often involves dysfunctional family structures, where one parent is absent from child-rearing. Additionally, overcrowding in small homes with extended family members is common.

Given the economic and social challenges in the country, significant adults, including pregnant and lactating mothers, are often required to leave home early for long working hours to provide for their families. This emphasizes the issue of unequal wages, sometimes leading to extended working hours. As a result, children are compelled to spend almost the entire day (8 hours) at the child centers, which become a second home for them. These centers provide up to 70% of their daily meals, highlighting the limited quality time available during the week. Some children may have up to three different caregivers until their parents return late at night due to household demands.

Over the 38 years of its operation, the foundation has provided assistance to over 10,000 children from various vulnerable neighborhoods in the city of Medellín. Currently, 475 children aged 2 to 5 from Medellín receive free care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. They are guaranteed 70% of their meals and receive support from teachers, nutritionists, psychosocial workers, and special educators.

The foundation also organizes various cultural events celebrating Colombian traditions, including Children’s Day, Family Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and more, all part of the institutional project “La Magia de Compartir” (The Magic of Sharing). This project aims to collect donations such as food, clothing, toys, and other gifts to bring joy, fun, and smiles to these special days.

is a non-profit organization established in 1985. It was born out of the necessity to assist the community in the El Pesebre neighborhood due to their limited resources. The foundation initiated activities related to Christmas, market management, aid in house construction, and support for children who lacked access to education.

The Foundation operates 5 child centers in the neighborhoods of Blanquizal, Calasanz, Olaya Herrera, and Palenque. The majority of the served population is characterized by high vulnerability, classified under strata 1, 2, and 3, making them a priority for the comprehensive care provided by the child centers. These include children, adults, and migrants who are in the process of legalizing their stay in the country. This adds to the overall unemployment issue for both locals and foreigners.

It’s important to note that in many families, both significant figures don’t have a secure and stable income. As a result, there’s a lack of adequate care and safety conditions for their nutritional and health rights during the day. There’s also a lack of a reliable support network for care during their time at home. This often involves dysfunctional family structures, where one parent is absent from child-rearing. Additionally, overcrowding in small homes with extended family members is common.

Given the economic and social challenges in the country, significant adults, including pregnant and lactating mothers, are often required to leave home early for long working hours to provide for their families. This emphasizes the issue of unequal wages, sometimes leading to extended working hours. As a result, children are compelled to spend almost the entire day (8 hours) at the child centers, which become a second home for them. These centers provide up to 70% of their daily meals, highlighting the limited quality time available during the week. Some children may have up to three different caregivers until their parents return late at night due to household demands.

Over the 38 years of its operation, the foundation has provided assistance to over 10,000 children from various vulnerable neighborhoods in the city of Medellín. Currently, 475 children aged 2 to 5 from Medellín receive free care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. They are guaranteed 70% of their meals and receive support from teachers, nutritionists, psychosocial workers, and special educators.

The foundation also organizes various cultural events celebrating Colombian traditions, including Children’s Day, Family Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and more, all part of the institutional project “La Magia de Compartir” (The Magic of Sharing). This project aims to collect donations such as food, clothing, toys, and other gifts to bring joy, fun, and smiles to these special days.

Child malnutrition in Colombia continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in the country. It is a complex issue with roots in economic disparity, food insecurity, low education levels, and inadequate sanitation. Although malnutrition rates have declined, child mortality related to it remains a critical concern that is often underreported. In the Medellin community we are partnering with, there are minimal resources and increased prices operating costs, contributing to less food access. Hydroponics using nutrient-rich water instead of soil presents a sustainable solution to address food insecurity and malnutrition. This innovative farming technique conserves water and accelerates plant growth, ensuring a reliable source of nutrition throughout the year. At iHelp, we hope to cultivate and implement sustainable long term solutions to address a variety of factors that affect the health of the populations we work with. In December 2023, we kicked off this initiative through the construction of two hydroponic towers at one of Foundación Madrid’s locations.

To ensure sustainability, community involvement is necessary. This begins with hands-on training workshops covering fundamental aspects of hydroponics, including system setup, nutrient solutions, and maintenance. Community members are then educated in data collection techniques, from measuring crop yield to conducting nutritional assessments. A crucial step involves collaborating with agricultural experts to develop a user-friendly instruction manual customized for the community’s needs and accessible in various formats. A train-the-trainer approach ensures sustainability, with selected community members becoming expert trainers. Regular follow-up visits by agricultural experts, a feedback loop for community input, and integrating technology, such as tablets with pre-installed apps, contribute to a comprehensive training experience. The program concludes with certification for participants, fostering motivation and recognition for their accomplishments. Eventually, our goal is to prove the effectiveness and concept of the hydroponic system to efficiently combat malnutrition in the Medellin area, then implement the technology in Wayuu communities to combat malnutrition there as well. 

This past December 2023, we worked with GoodsforGood, a US Supply Nonprofit, to acquire toys, clothing, school supplies, and various donations, which we distributed among 475 children served by Fundación Madrid Campestre for Christmas. It is our goal to acquire more donations and continue our partnership with GoodsforGood to continually provide like donations to the foundation and the communities they serve.  

How We Plan to Help

We hope to help alleviate the supply and fiscal strains that continually hinder Fundación Madrid Campestre’s ability to accomplish its goals of expanding and helping more communities that need support. Currently, due to inflation and government cutbacks in funding, the foundation needs an additional $3,000 a month to meet operating costs. Any fiscal donations or material donations of school supplies or clothes go a long ways in helping us support Fundación Madrid Campestre and the underserved communities they impact. To help Fundación Madrid Campestre, iHelp will aid in supporting their schools and programs, and bolster the foundation’s efforts. We additionally will provide guidance and assistance aligning with our own mission to help grow their initiatives in an ethical manner. iHelp plans to act as a supply chain for partner nonprofit operations, improve access to nutritionally dense foods through our hydroponic tower project, and develop program to sponsor local pediatricians to visit the various foundation locations to provide healthcare, anual checkups, and vaccinations to the children supported by the foundation.

We pledge to help expand Fundación Madrid Campestre’s reach, impact, ability, and hopefully extend its services to the growing underserved population in Medellin and eventually other regions of Colombia.

Help us #BuildaBetterWorld

We are requesting fiscal and non-fiscal donations such as school supplies, toys, food to take home, and materials to build houses. To help support this endeavor, you can find a complete list of items they are seeking in the dedicated section of the Redistribute Medical Supplies page Additionally, some items are difficult to obtain and transport to Colombia, which is why fiscal donations and sponsorships go a long way to help support Fundación Madrid Campestre to improve their operations as they see most effective. If you feel compelled and it is within your means to aid us in this endeavor, please visit our donation page for more information.