In November SOFIA’s very own Daniela Coppola and Stefano Scotti visited the Salvatorian communities in Colombia to familiarize themselves with the apostolates there and discuss new initiatives in the spirit of Fr. Jordan’s exhortation to always be at the service of the poor and marginalized.
They visited the Fundación Misioneros por la Vida, founded by Fr. Pablo Salazar Giraldo SDS some 40 years ago in Medellín, and in particular SerVida – I am Life, the foundation’s most important project, which focuses on peace education and integral formation for children growing up amongst violence in the slums of Medellín and in the departments of La Unión Sucre and Valle. Its objective is that of building sustained peace within the community by providing education, training and reflection as well as a safe haven for children of all ages and their parents and/or guardians to enjoy their pastime. Key activities, carried out by a network of volunteers, give psycho-social support to children and parents/guardians and educate them in human rights and Christian values. In this way, children and families gain a more positive outlook on life in spite of the violence, intolerance, uncertainty, injustice, abuse and neglect so common to their daily lives. This gives them the courage to act as change agents for a more inclusive and tolerant Colombia. Daniela and Stefano also met with the Women’s Cooperative, a joint initiative of the three Salvatorian branches under the guidance of Lay Salvatorian Dominique Bayet. This project, implemented by Fundación Opción Futuro, organizes training and opportunities to set up small businesses for a group of underprivileged and poor women living in the slums of Medellín. This initiative provides training in practical skills, business and trade and how to set up a cooperative of women entrepreneurs. Up to now, more than sixty women have learned how to produce and sell handicraft items. Their merchandise is already selling well, also among donors in Italy. Assisted by SOFIA, the Fundación has now applied for a grant to help create further groups and to support 240 young mothers from the poorest barrios of Medellín.
Together with Frs. Milton Zonta and Agustín Van Baelen, the SOFIA team admired a very active team of lay animators in Cali. They help Fr. Guillermo Meza Velásquez SDS to carry out a challenging project in the poorest of suburbs. This project called FUSEMPAZ (deriving from Fundación Sembradores de Paz - Sowers of Peace) is a care program which takes a holistic approach to prevent vulnerable children, adolescents and families from using drugs. It does so by giving spiritual, domestic, socio-political and psychosocial education. Activities comprise consultancies, individual psycho-pedagogical orientation sessions and workshops, as well as home visits and formation in sports, culture, and art and life skills. Through this approach, minors and families affected by violence and exposed to the risks of potential or actual drug abuse are empowered to exercise their practical, cognitive and creative skills to the end of becoming responsible and self-esteeming individuals able face these risks. Also in Cali, Salvatorian Sister Margarita Rozo has developed a project supporting single mothers and young expecting women, offering skills and vocational training in handicraft and hairdressing to give them a dignified living.
In Cartagena, Daniela visited interesting Salvatorian initiatives, such as those of Fr. Eder Rafael Arrieta Núñez SDS, who serves a destitute parish, and of groups of Lay SDS, who are working with disabled children from poor areas and those who are affected by cancer.
Part of SOFIA’s mission in Colombia was to assist the local Salvatorians in developing new projects. For instance, to set up a vocational training center for the poor at the SDS site of La Vega in the outskirts of Bogotá or the opening of a library in the Cartagena parish.
