Finding Shelter at the Girls’ Home

Maria Yeraldine Vergara Echeverri

Six year-old Yeraldine was born in the shanty areas of Medellín, Colombia. On entering the Girls’ Home, she escaped from physical, psychological and verbal aggression and abuse. From an early age she had to face violence both in the community where she lived and within her family.

Yeraldine has nine older brothers, some of whom have been enrolled at the National Institute of Family Welfare. Others are members of delinquency groups. She has suffered every type of mistreatment, mainly from her mother, who hit and kicked Yeraldine on her head. Yeraldine’s brother murdered their father because of his mistreatment of their mother. Yeraldine witnessed this horrible tragedy.

Yeraldine had no one to protect her. Due to all her family’s difficulties, she sought out drug traffickers and sex workers. She used to beg for money on the streets and take care of cars in order to buy food. Yeraldine usually stayed on the streets until 5:00 a.m. and then slept until 1 or 2 p.m.

Yeraldine’s aunt, Maria del Carmen Vergara, brought Yeraldine to Bogotá when she moved there recently to seek medical treatment for her son. Maria del Carmen works 11 hours a day sewing pants in a factory. Due to her schedule and little money, she needs Yeraldine to be under the care of the Girls’ Home.

Yeraldíne is very happy to be at the Girls’ Home. Already she has a group of friends with whom she shares and learns new things every day.

Maria del Carmen is asking for help for one year while she achieves economic stability and gains custody of her niece. She has already started the custody process.