Colombia Updates

Bogota – Santa Fe CDA School – Child Sponsorship.

Erika Pacanchiqueis is a grade 7 student of the God is Love School in Santafe, who joined the project in 2001, when the school was located in “El Cartucho”. One of her brothers graduated from the school.

She lives in a secluded neighborhood, so her family decided to enroll her in another school that was closer to their home. Due to some difficulties she faced, the family decided to enroll her in CDA once again, reason why she considers the school as her second home.
“I entered the school in first grade back in 2001, when the school was still located in Calle de Cartucho. My two brothers also studied here. Diego graduated in 2003. He has a problem with his right eye because of an accident he faced when only eights years old. A few days ago he received a new operation and is in recovery. After some time, I was transferred to another school, because when the CDA school moved, it was far for me to attend. At that school, my few school materials were stolen, I was threatened and it was basically horrible. For this reason I begged my parents to send me back to CDA. When I came back I was entering se­venth grade, but now I feel good, I am accepted, loved, teachers not only care about my academic performance, but they look at all my needs as a person. Even caring for my personal and spiritual life as well as for my family.
I consider this to be the best school and desire to continue here until I finish high school. One of my dreams is to become a professional in the area of communications. I know that this op­portunity of studying at CDA, brings me closer to fulfilling my dream.

Bogota - Altos de Cazuca CDA School
Name: Clara Inés Rueda
Occupation: High School Academic Coordinator
Throughout my teaching years, the Lord blessed me with working in different Christian schools. I have seen His blessing at each and every single one of them, but I feel specially happy at CDA. Everywhere I look, every day of my life I see the love of the Lord being shared and this is a motivation, because the vocation to which the Lord has called me is a gift, which I must respond to every day. The Lord Almighty has a special purpose for my life and that is to serve those who need me. Its gratifying to see the joy reflected in the students faces, when they arrive at school, regardless of the heap of problems they have. It is in those faces where I see God´s love and mercy. The experience as academic coordinator allows me to continually update my knowledge in order to offer the teachers, the necessary tools to transform the teaching-learning process into a space of knowledge interaction. The attitude the teachers assume during the development of certain activities, such as the Education application of efficiency tests is also motivating, taking into account the interpretative, argumentative, and proposal capabilities, which make the students competent human beings in their every day life, bearing in mind that they and only they are the makers of an integral education.
If we reflect God´s love with our attitudes and words, we will be aware of that love that we have sown in our students’ hearts, the love that God asks us to give in his example, for He showed us his never ending love when He died on the cross. Our dreams will emerge from this love, to see our students as missionaries, preachers, personalities from the public life, and professionals that contribute with their wisdom and experiences to an improved society.

Home Support
OLGA LUCIA VALENCIA COTINCHARA
Olga Lucía lives with her parents in a neighborhood called Barrio 8 de diciembre in the locality of Ciudad Bolívar. Her family is composed of her parents and a 6 year old sister. Olga is 10 years old and is studying in 4th grade. Her father has been suffering from epilepsy for 17 years, which has prevented him from working.
However, her mother has always worked and provided sustenance to the family. She learned how to knit woolen clothes but due to the lack of job opportunities she has worked in other activities. The situation is really difficult taking into account their monthly expenses: rent, public utilities, schools, uniforms, transportation, food, medications of her husband and others.
They have been Christians for about 10 years and have been hosting a cell group at their home for 7 years. Olga Lucia has been benefiting from the program for about 5 years with groceries, school supplies or shoes. She is really happy when she receives letters or gifts from her sponsor. Her family has received spiritual guidance through devotions, counseling, and workshops on child rearing which has generated great harmony and good family relationships, despite the fact that the parents’ roles are reversed in this case.
At present, María works at a female underwear factory (in different shifts) and earns minimum wage.
She would like to buy a knitting machine and work at home so she can spend more time with her family.
She is also interested in studying tailoring and dressmaking but due to her work schedule, she can’t enroll at any training center.

Continuing Education
MARGARET LICET BELTRÁN CASTILLO
18 years old
Public Accountant

“My family and I became Christians many years ago, when we came to CDA. At our school I remember we were always taught about the Bible and at home those teachings were reinforced through the way in which we lived.
My brother currently studies at the Lucero Alto School. He is in ninth grade and that is the school where I graduated from, having started my studies at the early age of 4.
I am happy because thanks to the help received through CDA and now through the scholarship fund, I have been able to follow a professional career. I am entering the fourth semester of public accounting and although during my school years my dream was to become licensed in math or physics, I can now say I made the right choice and feel satisfied with the career I am following. Right now I am dedicated to my studies and to the group of children I have at my care at the church I attend, where my father is now a pastor. I am a Sunday school teacher there and we carry out evangelization activities and much more, sharing always those Christian principles and values, which I learnt at CDA. I can say today that CDA is an organization that lives out what it speaks. It truly cares about preparing us for life and as I am now away from the CDA environment I miss the way in which they cared fro each individual, teaching us always to honor God. At university everything is different. People only care about themselves and this reflects in our society. I think that if I had the opportunity of becoming the president of this country, I would focus on providing equal opportunities so people can have a chance of improving their lives. But for now, my plans are to finish my career, find a job and help my parents cover their needs. In whatever I do, I want to serve the Lord.

Cartegena
Mother of Student

Shirley Castillo, student’s mother. God Is Love School in Cartagena.
First of all, I want to thank God for the great blessings He has provided me with; my two daughters, 7 year-old Miriam and 4 months-old Luisa Fernanda.
The God Is Love School has provided me and my daughter Miriam with a lot of support. This institution is excellent and my family and I are very pleased with the way they have treated us and worked with us. Academically, my daughter has experienced noticeable improvements and she has been provided with health services, food, and everything a student needs in order to study.
Also, I have received advisory, which has helped me to be able to handle myself in difficult times and have helped me make wise decisions.
I want to thank the CDA team very much. May God bless you all!