Focolare Movement

In Colombia working for a Better World

Dec 6, 2013

As an answer to the considerable social emergencies that grip this South American counry, the Fondazione Mundo Mejor (Better World Foundation) is born, that draws its strength and inspiration from the spirituality of unity.

Colombia, together with its many natural riches, it is also a Country with serious social wounds among which is the great inequality between the few who are rich and the many who are poor,  numerous families who are forced to leave their homes and cities due to violence, thousands of cases of abuse of minors ….

The Fondazione Mundo Mejor (Better World Foundation), a non-profit organization, was born in Medellín in 1996 started by a group of people of the Focolare Movement who found the strength to face the social emergemcies around them from the  Charism of Unity. No one could remain indifferent in front of these realities, on the contrary, striving to live the spirituality of  Chiara Lubich, gave rise to concrete answers: diverse social projects that integrate action and reflection.

The program of child services, for example, offers complete education for vulnerable children from 2 to 5 years of age.

That of social integration offers assistance to the destitute, by trying to create alternatives and livelihood projects that will allow them to re-enter into the social fabric and into the workforce. The program of re-introduction into the world of work, with the offer of professional training and assistance there where they reside.

A program on human rights, where strategies to strengthen the exercise of the principal human rights of children and their families are developed.

At present the  Foundation has 155 employees, including nutritionists, psychologists, teachers and administrative personnel, looking after the welfare of around 2,000 children and 400 homeless.

Steve Carty and his wife – Peruvian and with two children  – have dedicated themselves to work full-time in this educational-social project. “Our challenge goes beyond activism –Steve underlined – because we have understood that the first big social revolution is born in the heart of every person”.

Today the Foundazione Mundo Mejor (Better World Foundation) is an institution that is recognized as a valid voice in the fields of politics, art, social works and sports; it is the partner of other organization that have chosen it for its transparency and attention for the other, in the spirit of fraternity.

It has received important recognitions from the Town Council of Medellin, from the regional authorities and from the Senate of the Republic of Colombia. Recently, they have signed an agreement with the Club UNESCO Heritage, with headquarters in Valencia, Spain.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

With Pope Leo for Dialogue and Peace

With Pope Leo for Dialogue and Peace

“I am not a politician; I speak of the Gospel (…) and to the leaders of the world I say: no more wars.” Pope Leo XIV began his journey to Africa with these words, answering journalists aboard the plane en route to his first stop, Algeria. It is a tireless and courageous commitment to peace, one that the Focolare Movement wholeheartedly supports. Peace and interreligious dialogue were recurring themes in many of the testimonies presented to the Pope, including that of the Focolare community.

Lebanon: the Resistance of Solidarity

Lebanon: the Resistance of Solidarity

The war in Lebanon has caused more than a million people to be displaced, turning the emergency into a widespread and prolonged condition. The testimonies we share, speak of material losses, traumas and a hope that is steadily diminishing. However, a spontaneous network of solidarity is growing, planting ever more genuine seeds of humanity.

Sophia University Institute: a new Academic Proposal

Sophia University Institute: a new Academic Proposal

A renewed and comprehensive university course (three-year Bachelor’s and Master’s) aimed at the professions of the future with a double degree (ecclesiastical and civil) based in the new teaching campus in the city of Florence (Italy).