Altruism and Philanthropy in Colombia
According to Webster, the altruism is the "concern for
others" and something you learn if included in the education of children
and reinforced by cultural expectations. Philanthropy, synonym of altruism is
defined by Encyclopedia Britannica, as
the "love of humanity".
Among the most altruistic and philanthropic known through
the centuries is Jesus who left us the commandment: "Love one another as I
have loved you." In Colombia, known philanthropists in our generation we can
speak of Jaime Jaramillo, Founder of "Children of the Andes." Many priests
and religious orders such as the Salesians, Jesuits, Franciscans, who risk
their lives to serve in difficult areas where poverty and violence are true
emblems of philanthropy.
A country that progresses, is a country where people are
generous and help all who need it.
United States is one of the countries where there is more adoptions in the
world and where there are more non-profit foundations registered. In Colombia we are seeing many foundations which
have emerged, and are intended to provide assistance to people who are on the
margins of poverty, homelessness, hunger, malnutrition. Foundations whose
values go beyond the self centered approach. A beautiful comment made by a
Chocó pediatrician was "Here there may be poor, but a child who is
orphaned or displaced, always is welcomed by his/her family as his own son or
daughter." I admire the heart of Chocó, that even in the stillness of
poverty, they share what little they have.
There are many opportunities to help when we discover the
needs of our citizens in different parts of the country. If you have followed
this blog, you know of our concern for the children of Chocó. We are asking the
help of altruistic Colombians to fund “soy cows” or equipment to process soy,
which the Rotary Club Bogota- Laureles
is able to take them to Chocó, the Department that has been forgotten in
Colombia. It has been shown that soy is one of the foods that are high in
protein and it is what is needed to combat malnutrition in children there.
We would also like to do Operation Christmas, to bring gifts
and school supplies in shoe boxes to children of Andagoya Bagadó, Condoto, Canton
de San Pablo Canton, and Itsmina and send a message of love. We do not want them to feel that we have
forgotten them.
Every act of generosity is rewarded.
Thanks,
Claudia Baldwin
P.O. Box 2033, Stillwater, MN 55082
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