Alegria de Vivir (Cameron, expedition leader)

Note: This home is a funded home in Turbaco, Colombia specifically catered to helping handicapped children providing care so these children can stay with the families and off the street.

“Alegria de Vivir” started with a few women in Colombia who wanted to help handicapped children receive medical care that they desperately needed but could not receive. The name means “Happiness of Living” and the volunteers that work to keep this small center running, truly make this their goal when working with these kids.

In the areas surrounding Cartagenas there are many deformities and chorinic diseases that would shock most of us here in our comfortable homes. In this area these kids very rarely will see a doctor will most likely never receive the type of care they need. In a sense the kids are forgotten and looked over. The brave women of “Alegria de Vivir” have proven that this will not happen in their community and have made it a personal fight to help these children. They have made connections with local physicians and medical personnel who are committing to offer their time and services to help. Still the center has a long way to go.

When we met the children at the center and saw how much help they really needed, Southern Cross decided to be a part of this beautiful home and cause for the needy children in Colombia.

Since January, Southern Cross has helped in the funding the home, allowing the volunteers provide food and activities for these kids. The funds are designated to help in whatever aspect these volunteers deem necessary, including helping to pay for treatment of certain problems or visits to the hospital when needed. We hope to raise enough interest in this area in Colombia and in these children to bring an expedition to Cartagena and help construct a playground in the back of the center where children with disabilities can leave the small building, and enjoy the outdoors.

We applaud the volunteers who work with these children and plan to become even more involved in this wonderful cause. Help us improve the lives of these children so that together we understand what it really means to have “alegria de vivir.”