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A Secure Home

Bolivian Quechua parents work hard to maintain a family and home.  Women have children when they are young, often having 4-5 children before the age of 30.  Young parents usually have simple day labor jobs and may need to live with other family members.

 

Bolivia does not have a welfare system.  If a mother loses spousal or family support she finds herself caught in a downward spiral. Sometimes the only option is to disband her family, placing the children in government orphanages.

 

Refugio Raphael offers a family recovery program where moms and their children have housing, food, social services, education, medical assistance and opportunities to learn new job skills. The goal is to provide support until a family can live on their own again.  This support comes from the refugio community caring for one another, a small two person staff, part-time mentors, service providers, and local and international volunteers.

 

The one acre campus includes two buildings.  One structure houses classrooms and medical clinic. The larger structure has two living units, and a community facility with spaces for a bakery, artisan group meetings, and church services.  The buildings have running water, full bathrooms, gas ranges, and electricity. Also on the grounds are a community playground, vegetable garden, and chicken coop. 

 

Current Status: Four families are living at the facility comprising four mothers and nine-teen children.

Wish List

Monetary and In-kind Gifts

  money for operational expenses

  money for building maintenance

  children's clothing

  personal items for the children

  toys

 

Volunteer Help

  fund raising

  grant writing

  on site construction assistance

 

Refugio Rafael

is located in the heart of a Quechua community outside the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. People in this Andes Mountain agricultural area provide for their families through roadside markets and day labor. Living conditions in the villages are simple.  Clothes are washed by hand. There may be no indoor plumbing. Small vegetable gardens and chickens provide food. Meals are prepared on small propane burners. Electricity is limited. 
 

The refugio is a  unique  community support facility, staffed by local people and assisted by international partners. It provides supplemental education, economic development, medical assistance, and a secure home for families.

 

After School Program

The Community Center classrooms and dedicated educators provide over 100  children with homework help, tutoring,  mentorship, creative play and storytelling.

 

Economic Development 

The refuge provides work space and mentors for artisans to develop handcrafts and goods for  local and international markets.

 

Health and Wellness

A health and wellness program provides education and support for community members. The Health Clinic will provide  medical/dental consultation.

 

 

A Secure Home

Housing units and staff provide a place where families at risk can be supported in a traditional home setting.  Families receive housing, food assistance , medical, and social services. 

Global Gallery is a Fair Trade coffee shop, gift shop and art gallery with a mission. We’re dedicated to promoting Fair Trade handcrafted products from around the world while developing cultural enrichment through educational workshops and social events.

 

Come relax, study, or discuss in our cafe or patio.

 

Visit our site at www.GlobalGalleryColumbus.com

 

Women Crafting Change brings together women of various immigrant and socioeconomic communities to collectively work on art projects. Our program is focused on providing women with creative and practical job training through the creation and production of hand crafts.

 

Visit our site at www.WomenCraftingChange.com

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