How We Help:   

Since 2005 Glenside United Church of Christ along with local and regional communities as well as with the support of friends of our project throughout the United States has worked with non-profits which help marginalized children from Colombia.  From 2005 up to now we have worked exclusively with the Students of the Light NGO.  This year will mark the first year we will work with two non-profit NGOs in Colombia.  We will continue helping the children of Santa Elena at the Students of the Light Home but in addition, we will also help support Fundación Ratón de Biblioteca (the Library Bookworm Foundation), an equally impressive entity which through the use of literacy projects, books and art, works to develop the intellectual capacities of the children while improving their lives. 

Here is some general information about each: 

Students the Light Home:

"Hogar Estudiantes de la Luz" (translated Students of the Light Home) is a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization incorporated in Colombia as "Corporación de Estudiantes de la Luz"), composed of children from substandard neighborhoods, whose families are displaced from the four-decade long civil war.  They live in extreme poverty, have problems with malnutrition, suffer from child abuse, and have substandard, if any schooling, among other things.  The childen stay at a country farm or "finca" throughout the week located about an hour from Medellín in the municipality of Santa Elena where they reside and attend local schools.  On weekends, those with parents or guardians return home.  Those without stay in Santa Elena.

In addition, the children also receive an integrated education at the home based on five human values taken  from the principles of the Sathya Sai Organization, based in India:

• Truth
• Love
• Honesty
• Peace
• and Non-Violence    

In the United States, support of the Students of the Light NGO began in 2005 as a humanitarian mission project  of the Glenside United Church of Christ (GUCC) from Glenside, Pennsylvania.  GUCC is a non-profit with 501 (c) (3) status. 

Library Bookworm Foundation (Ratón de Biblioteca):

The "Ratón de Biblioteca" Foundation (translated Library Bookworm Foundation) is a non-profit organization (non-governmental organization or NGO) which bring books, reading material and art to children, youth, and adults from  the city of Medellín, Colombia and the greater metropolitan area.  This is done though programming focused to excite participants about reading and artistic activities which sensitize them in order to develop their intelligence and improve their lives. 

Ratón began in 1981 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

To view a brief PDF/PowerPoint presentation about this NGO, please click here.

Pictures coming soon so come back to see them online.