Colombia

Indigenous youth transform healthcare

In many rural and Indigenous regions of Colombia, pursuing higher education after high school remains a major challenge. Poverty, the long distances to urban centers, and limited transportation options prevent thousands of young people in La Guajira from continuing their studies. At the same time, these Indigenous communities face a heightened risk of illness due to unsafe water, chronic food insecurity, and the absence of basic medical services. Responding to these local needs, Malteser International launched a program to strengthen community resilience through health education. 

Milagros: The miracle of life

Although little Milagros still suffers from the effects of malnutrition, today she can smile again - thanks to the tireless support of her family and Malteser International's nutrition program. Together with her family, the one-year-old girl lives in Riohacha, a coastal town in the La Guajira region, close to the Venezuelan border. Child malnutrition is particularly widespread in this region. Children from families with a migrant background and from the indigenous Wayuu communities are particularly affected

Overcoming fear and embracing identity: Rosángela's journey

Rosángela Martínez, now proud of her Wayuu identity, once lived in fear of discrimination. For years, her indigenous background contributed to insecurities that silenced her voice and kept her from expressing herself publicly. Through a transformative program by Malteser International Americas, Rosángela found the strength to overcome her fears and emerged as a confident, empowered voice in her community. Discover how Rosángela’s journey is inspiring resilience and change.

A gift of warmth and hope

At the age of 16, Milagros became a mother for the first time. It was a period of uncertainty and fear. When she found out that she was pregnant, her best friend gave her a blanket —a gift that has since become a symbol of refuge and strength for the now 28-year-old Venezuelan. "Every time I touch it, it reminds me that I can keep going," she says. Two years ago, Milagros and her family migrated to Colombia in search of a better future. Even here, her blanket is by her side. “Although I may not have much, I still have this blanket,” she says. “I always carry it with me, because it has sheltered all of my children in cold moments. And when I want to remember my life in Venezuela, I cover myself with it."

Eliana: A young leader shaping the future of her community

When Eliana Toro speaks, everyone in her community listens to her. Her words capture the attention of both elders and children because, despite her young age, her deep interest in her community has led her to become a leader at just 18 years old. 

Trilillamana, her home, is a Wayuu community located in the rural area of ​​the coastal municipality of Manaure, in the department of La Guajira, in northern Colombia. Like many communities in this region, Trilillamana lacks access to basic health services, education, and other fundamental needs, making it difficult for its inhabitants to experience a decent quality of life.

Luisa: Keeping faith and hope alive

Luisa Persoso, a 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant in Colombia, faced immense challenges leaving her homeland and adjusting to life with her three young children while leaving three others behind. Arriving in Riohacha as refugees, they found themselves without support, navigating uncertainty daily.

Thanks to Malteser International's nutrition programs, Luisa's youngest son, Abraham, who was malnourished upon arrival, has since thrived. With ongoing support from the program, including nutritional kits and healthcare, Luisa has been able to provide for her children.

From despair to hope: Ruth's story

October 2015 will be marked in Ruth's memory forever. A neighborhood game turned into a nightmare when her son, Edwin, accidentally got a syringe in his eye, causing a retinal detachment. Ruth and her son were confronted with a challenging journey to recovery after spending days in the hospital and undergoing seven surgeries. 

Due to socioeconomic hardships in Venezuela, Ruth was constantly traveling to Colombia. Each trip was a desperate scramble for funds to cover Edwin's mounting medical bills. Complications on each trip across the Colombian-Venezuelan border deteriorated her state of mind. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, she decided to move to Colombia permanently. 

Cristal: Finding hope and healing in Colombia

At just 17, Cristal became pregnant for the first time. The young woman lived in Venezuela at this time, where life had become a daily struggle. With a newborn child and siblings to support, Cristal, barely out of high school, found herself trapped in a deteriorating economic and political climate. Hoping for a better life for her family, she left her home country and settled in Santa Marta, Colombia. In need of support, she received medical care from Malteser International when she became pregnant again.

Lujaris' Path to a Brighter Future in Colombia

Lujaris del Carmen Báez Fernández left Venezuela and sought refuge in Colombia, where Venezuelan refugees face difficulties accessing healthcare. The pregnant women and her one-year-old son receive medical and nutritional assistance by Malteser International. This support has given Lujaris hope for a better future for her family.

Community Dialogues Bring Medical Care to Indigenous Groups

Malteser International supports dialogues and workshops between local government entities, healthcare providers, and local communities seeking to improve their integration and cooperation. The goal of these dialogues is to strengthen the connections that support the healthcare of Indigenous people.

Malnutrition in Colombia

According to the WHO around 45% of deaths among children younger than five are linked to malnutrition. That is a global total of 3.1 million per year. Vulnerable populations and refugees are at the most risk, and they often fall victim to a cycle of poverty that is hard to escape from. This is also the case for migrants from Venezuela in the department of La Guajira in the north of Colombia. Malteser International supports children and pregnant women affected by malnutrition.

Biodiversity, strengthening communities and sustainable development

The meeting of the fresh waters of the Magdalena River and smaller tributaries from the Sierra Nevada with the salt waters of the Caribbean Sea has created the perfect ecosystem for one of the most biologically diverse environments in the country. The Cienaga is home to hundreds of species of fish, including the expensive Striped Mojarra and the famous Bocachico. Exotic birds, monkeys and more than 33 species of mammals contribute to the thriving ecosystem. It is also home to the largest mangrove forest in the Colombian Caribbean.

Youth Leadership School: Ruth is a change maker!

The province of La Guajira in northern Colombia offers young people few prospects. Poverty, unemployment and climate change are just a few of the problems the region is facing. Ruth Uriana de Armas and 49 other indigenous and Afro-Colombian youths have made it their task, against all odds, to bring about change in their homeland.

Training midwives in Colombia's indigenous communities

For centuries, traditional birth attendants and midwives like Juanita have played a key role for pregnant women in indigenous communities. Their years of experience and knowledge of natural medicine have earned them trust and respect as invaluable providers of rural maternal care. However, most traditional birth attendants are often incapable of handling obstetric complications, leading to high maternal and infant deaths.

By training local midwives, Malteser International is helping to provide the skilled care indigenous women in Colombia need to give birth safely.

Venezuela/Columbia: A future in the midst of crisis.

Colombia has taken in almost one million refugees from Venezuela. Ana, Iris and Carlos are all seeking a better life and a better future in Colombia. These are their stories: