In a city with 5,000 children working in the streets and being exploited, 130 may look like a very small number. However, we ask ourselves, what other option do we have when we see the human rights of these children violated?.

 

Poder Joven is one of several institutions in Medellin dedicated to serve underrepresented children. We have two operative houses that have become a second home for 130 children who, from the very beginning of their lives, did not have the opportunities that many of us did. These children are victims of poverty, violence, and neglect.

Every day, although astonished with the absurd limitless social inequality in our city, our team of professional staff and volunteers work diligently to provide these children with food, education, moral values, and most importantly love.

Twelve years of experience working with underprivileged communities have given us a clear understanding of how the hostile circumstances in which these children live make them aggressive, insecure, and unstable people. However, moved by the natural instinct of survival, these kids are extremely affectionate when they are treated with love.

Our children live a life full of contradictions every day; they see the hostile environment around them while they are being taught to live in harmony. Poder Joven, on the other hand, has the continuous hope that these kids truly find the need to strive for a more dignifying life. We continue our work with patience and imperishable belief that all our effort is worthwhile. We think that our kids can love themselves and become important members of a better society.