Dear Friends of Colombia Members and Supporters,

As the year draws to a close, we want to acknowledge that it has been an extremely challenging year for the international development community, and many impactful organizations have lost their dedicated sources of funding. Your steadfast support is more instrumental than ever in helping us make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities throughout Colombia.

Throughout 2025, we remained dedicated to advancing community development, empowering youth, and promoting education. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to fund two outstanding projects led by Peace Corps Colombia volunteers through our small grants initiative. They include:

  • Devolviendo Esperanza (Tabio, Cundinamarca) – Awarded in July, this project is still ongoing and focuses on supporting children in vulnerable situations, including survivors of abuse and Venezuelan migrants, through socio-emotional competency workshops at a local foundation that provides daycare.
  • FrutoLab (Polonuevo, Atlantíco) – After a volunteer lost their USAID funding just as the project was about to start, they reached out to FOC for help. Our grant provided agricultural training and fruit production equipment to students – building a self-sustaining business model for the community. 

Ongoing Partners:

  • GLOW – when GLOW suddenly lost their USAID funding, FOC stepped up and doubled our funding. They held a camp in June that focused on women’s empowerment for 57 teenagers, who went on to lead projects and small groups in their rural communities and are planning a regional conference for the end of 2025.
  • Paso a Paso and the Magdalena Foundation – supported dozens of grade-school students and college students with scholarships. The Paso a Paso program is coming to a close, with all students successfully graduating and attending higher education institutions.
  • The Marina Orth Foundation – celebrated their 20th anniversary and recently directed the first ever New Technologies Week Bootcamp teaching Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, 3-D Printing, and Multimedia Website Design with the Mayor of Medellin’s office.
  • TCP Global – In 2025, existing TCP (The Colombia Project) Global sites in Colombia issued loans worth $39,000 and earned $6,600 for community projects. To expand in Colombia, we visited Peace Corps staff in Barranquilla in August and followed up by Zoom with Volunteers. We are working with previous partners in Santa Marta and Cartagena to reopen those programs. Globally, we secured $512,000 in seed funds to open 79 new loan sites and support $2.7M in loans. 
  • FUCAHIS – FOC facilitated the transfer of funds for 16 students’ university scholarships that are supported by FOC member Tad Runge

FOC continues to channel our collective efforts into two vital causes. 

Firstly, we will continue to support Peace Corps Volunteers in the field through their community-based projects. For example, Volunteer Nolan is starting a pottery studio in Santander through the Peace Corps Partnerships Program (PCPP) (https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate/projects/pp-25-514-005/), and funds will help support women and youth to reclaim their pottery traditions and embark on entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Secondly, we remain committed to our ongoing partnerships with our organizational allies in Colombia, such as TCP Global, Camp Glow, Marina Orth Foundation, and others. Your support will help sustain and expand these critical initiatives, amplifying our impact on the ground.

As we approach the holiday season and the end of the year, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Your contribution, whether big or small, will help shape a brighter future for the communities we serve.

To make a tax-deductible donation and support Friends of Colombia’s mission, please visit FOC online (https://friendsofcolombia.org/donate-now/) or mail your tax-deductible contribution to: 

Friends of Colombia 

PO Box 15292 

Chevy Chase, MD 20825 

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we can create positive change and empower communities for a brighter tomorrow.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

 

Warm regards,

Alyssa Galik (RPCV Colombia 2016–2018), President, FOC

and Jenna Glickman (RPCV Colombia 2012-2015), Treasurer, FOC