Reflecting
Holmes said, “In moments of quiet reflection, our minds embrace the sea that we have crossed.”
When a year comes to a close, it’s only natural to review what took place. We are grateful for all that we’ve been able to accomplish this year in Colombia, and we are excited for what is to come. As we look back on this year, we know we could not do any of these programs or projects without you as our donors. Thank you for making dreams come true, both our dreams as a foundation and those on the receiving end in Colombia. We have crossed seas (literally!) through the last year in order to accomplish exciting results through the programs of Footprints with Hope. In the midst of an ongoing world-wide pandemic, we are so thrilled with the year’s accomplishments.
Luchadoras
In March we launched our Luchadora program. This program consisted of 30 women attending 2 sessions a week for 7 months to learn about their rights in Colombia. We also focused on building self-esteem and utilized dance therapy as an outlet. The women learned a sustainable skill. Based in Cartagena, the 30 women learned how to become a salon stylist. They practiced hair cutting, beard trimming, coloring hair and styling hair.
As they worked through the program, I watched them grow. From the time we launched this program until the graduation, the women were transformed from the inside out. Confidence carries any person a long way in life, but these women needed someone to come alongside them and encourage the confidence and believe in them. We had the privilege of being that someone. When they graduated, I was able to hear their stories. As much as they changed through the process, their stories touched me deeply and developed a transformation in me as well. I am grateful to be able to watch these women grow.
I am looking forward to seeing how they continue to transform, as many of them now make their own income by cutting and styling hair! We will continue our follow up with them as we look forward to welcoming a new group of women in March. You can watch the testimonies on our youtube channel.
Clean Water Initiative
We had the exciting opportunity to offer 3 villages clean water this year! Located in the department of Sucre, Colombia, it began with the small village of Pueblecito. (aka Palmito). This community is an indigenous community and they have never had potable water… until now!
Now, thanks to donors like you, 450 homes have clean water to wash clothes, clean the dishes, take a bath and most importantly, to drink! Having clean water has changed their futures forever. One woman in the community of Bajo Grande said to me that now her child can have a hope for the future. Her child can grow up healthier and dream bigger and do great things because for the first time, he has something she never had: clean water.
You see, clean water doesn’t just bring good health, although that is a great benefit. These communities receiving clean water live with a greater hope now. Why? Because for the first time, someone (YOU!) took notice of them when they’d felt so rejected and ignored by their own government and society. Giving them clean water gives them health, but it also lets them know they are loved. Thank you! We began this initiative with one community in mind. Due to the generosity of beautiful donors, we were able to provide clean water for 3 villages. We cannot wait to see what 2022 will bring!
Other projects
Thanks to your generosity, we also completed a few other small projects. We donated to the Cardona-Rabb Clinic in Brisas del Mar through a 5K event we hosted in October. Footprints with Hope helped provide 7 communities of children (roughly 400 kids) with Christmas gifts. The community of Palmito received baseball supplies for the first time ever. We also constructed a small building in Palmito for the women to have a space for making purses/hats. We also hosted our inaugural Hope for the Holidays Gala where we raised $3,000 for the foundation! Thank you to those who attended. Mark your calendars for Dec. 17, 2022 for our next Gala!
Looking into the new year
We have many exciting ideas and goals for 2022. Please stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter for updates! We can’t wait to share with you in our continued partnership going forward. Thank you for your support and donations. 2021 has been a very exciting and special year for Footprints with Hope because of you.
