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Colombia

Compassion partnership began 1974

EST. 1974

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Hola! When you arrive in Colombia, you’ll experience a land of extremes—boasting everything from snow-capped volcanoes and tropical beaches to dense rainforests and sprawling savannas. In its neighbourhoods, or barrios, you’ll encounter music, dance and soccer traditions and hear the national anthem played across the radio at 6 am and 6 pm every day.

Population

52M

Capital city

Bogotá

Local time

Current Weather

, 0°C

Distance to Australia

14,447 km
Not all neighbourhoods in Colombia are safe. Children are forced to navigate a turbulent adolescent period where they remain vulnerable to early pregnancy, violence, substance abuse or involvement in crime. In this environment, youth face health complications including HIV/AIDS and mental illnesses. Children also suffer from a range of diseases including malnutrition, diarrhoea and malaria.

Poverty in Colombia

6%
of people live in extreme poverty
1 in 4
people do not have safe drinking water in their homes
1 in 4
Colombians are experiencing food insecurity

Yet God's Church is on the move in Colombia. Local churches are safe places for children where they can feel secure in their value and safe from negative influences. Our local partner staff believe in children and encourage them to stay on a path towards a better future. With access to safe water, medical care and equipped with knowledge on how to look after their health, children are flourishing.

Compassion in Colombia

308
local church partners
91,064

children supported

1,179

babies and their mums supported

Impact in action

Melanny, Colombia

Change is happening across Colombia. Melanny’s community used to only have safe water for a few hours every eight or nine days. Her local church was empowered to build new bathrooms and a water treatment plant. Now they have clean running water always, and people from all over the neighbourhood are coming to experience the joy.

“I have brought friends to church and told them how good God has been to us by allowing us to have these bathrooms. This intervention has given the church credibility in the community. Families have come to know the Lord because His love has been manifested through the new church facilities. They have realised that God is real.”
Melanny, Colombia

Move with us in Colombia

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Help end poverty for a child

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Pray for God's provision over families affected by rising food prices.

Pray for the safety of Compassion assisted children and program staff in areas where there is much violence.

Pray that God will continue to use the local church to protect children from drug use and cartels.

Pray that children across Colombia will understand how deeply they are loved by God.

Pray that God will open doors for more communities to flourish through clean water.

Pray for your neighbours

Join local churches in bringing these requests before God.

WATCH

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See the stories. Feel the impact. Move with compassion.

12 Sept 2024
A Hopeful Future: Life After Child Sponsorship
The path out of poverty looks different for each child, but the goal for every young person in Compassion’s program remains the same: good health, good skills, good relationships—and the opportunity to hear the Good News.

Read more

5 Aug 2021
Poverty Explored Part 1: What is Poverty?
Poverty has a devastating impact on children, taking away their chance to learn and play, and instead leads to exploitation, violence or even death. Children are often the most vulnerable members of the community and poverty leaves them thinking that they don’t matter.

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10 Mar 2020
What's the Difference Between a Refugee, an Asylum Seeker and an Immigrant?
In the past several years, the number of people moving away from their home countries has risen. War, violence, political instability and poverty are pushing people to search for better places. But the terminology can be confusing.

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27 Feb 2020
Birthdays Around The World
As children, birthday parties are memorable occasions! But when families barely have enough to support basic needs, birthday celebrations are often a luxury they can’t afford.

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28 Jan 2020
The Most Popular Baby Names Around the World
Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names! Check out the most popular ones for children in child development centres across 25 countries—there’s a lot that can be revealed with just a name.

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3 Jul 2019
17 Astonishing Journeys to School by Children in Poverty
How did you get to school as a child? Here’s a look at some of the great lengths children around the world, are going to everyday to get themselves to the classroom.

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28 Mar 2019
25 Photos of Family Dinner Time Everyone Should See
Take a journey around the world at dinner time. Your dining table and kitchen may not look like this, but for these families living in poverty, it’s the time where the laughter and good times occur despite their hardship.

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1 Aug 2018
25 Stunning Photos of Rooms in the Developing World
These photos are a fascinating and, at times, confronting insight into the lives of children around the world in Compassion’s program.

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24 Jan 2018
Why Doesn't Compassion Work in Conflict Zones?
Nearly one in every nine children live in a conflict zone. So why does Compassion only choose to work in stable communities?

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1 Sept 2017
Nick Vujicic: Hugs Without Limbs in Colombia
Nick Vujicic and José are young men with lives seemingly worlds apart. Yet both have had to overcome huge challenges: Nick was born without limbs, and José was born into extreme poverty. Watch what happens when the two meet.

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Explore more countries in South America

Explore the global neighbourhood
Bolivia

Est. 1975

Brazil

Est. 1975

Ecuador

Est. 1974

Peru

Est. 1980

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Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566. Authorised to fundraise in NSW (CFN/10658), VIC (FR0010734), QLD (CH1569), SA (CCP2632), TAS (F1A-208) and WA (20740). No authority to fundraise is required in the ACT or NT.