Colonias de Vacaciones, I.A.P.
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Mission Statement
Colonias de Vacaciones is a Private Assistance Institution that promotes the right to recreation and the integral development of children, offering them the opportunity to live a vacation experience. It is focused caring for low income children of primary school age, under a program of recreational and educational activities in a context of contact with nature and responsibility for the environment. Our vision: To be a leading organization in the promotion of children's rights in Mexico. Contribute to the growth and well being of each child who participates in our activities. Contribute to the social development of Mexico by helping with the integration to the community of each of the institutions and neighborhoods with which we collaborate. Build a community aware of its environmental impact that fosters a culture of respect for nature. Make each of our volunteers a leader with social responsibility. In our 55 years of existence we have trained 5,076 volunteers, which has allowed 43,789 low income boys and girls to attend 514 Colonias (camps). In 2019 1,400 children were beneficiaries. Colonias de Vacaciones was founded in Mexico in 1965, however, the original movement emerged in France, during the Industrial Revolution (19th century), when people started to live in large cities in which children had no contact with nature. Pastor Bion (Swiss), decides to take some children on vacation to the countryside. This activity began to gain strength until it became a formal movement in several countries in Europe as it entered the 20th century. In Mexico, during the 1960s, a group of volunteers from Mexico City, approached Gerardo Bonemberger and sister AllineUssel, members of the movement of Colonies in France, and developed what is now Colonias de Vacaciones, I.A.P.
About This Cause
During these 55 years for Colonias de Vacaciones, recreation, in addition to being a right, is a fundamental aspect for the integral development of girls and boys. However, it is common in Mexico City to find neighborhoods whose socioeconomic conditions prevent access to healthy recreational spaces that strengthen skills that positively impact children, developing resilience. The children we serve are of limited economic resources, and suffer the following problems of suburban, marginalized areas of Mexico City and its metropolitan area: a) Scarce infrastructure and few public services (unsanitary areas, surrounded by garbage and stagnant waters) b) Large families in very small houses. c) Very low family income. d) Malnutrition. e) School abandonment. f) On many occasions, the socioeconomic problems of these neighborhoods generate issues of alcoholism, drug addiction and vandalism in the adolescent and adult population. g) In some neighborhoods, some of the children have to work to help with the family income. That’s why the intervention model implemented by Colonias de Vacaciones consists of providing children with a recreational space, for 7 days, outside of their community, in a safe environment and that gives them confidence under a program of games and educational and recreational activities, implemented by our group of volunteers trained to work with children between the ages of 7 to 11 years. The Colonias (camps) are held during the vacation periods determined in the official Mexican school calendar (Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays) The objective of these activities, in addition to promoting the right to recreation and rest, is the comprehensive development of children and the opportunity to have a vacation experience; to provide a space for contact with nature in which they develop essential life skills such as self-knowledge, critical thinking, emotion management, interpersonal relationships free of violence, learning health and hygiene habits, teamwork and cooperation that will help provide greater community integration. Our model has 7 methodological stages: 1. Diagnosis: socioeconomic study and selection of participant neighborhoods, communities and/or institutions. 2. Training of volunteers (animators). 3. Awareness and promotion in communities, neighborhoods and institutions. 4. Formation and preparation of teams of animators for each neighborhood, institution or community, attending to specific problems and situations that are required. 5. Development of the Colony. 6. Post-Colony evaluation with the parents and internal evaluation of each of the members who made up the team of volunteers. Volunteering represents an added value and is priceless for the Institution. It is made up by 450 active youth 16 years and older. The volunteer program seeks to make each of the animadores (volunteers) a leader with social responsibility. In 55 years 5,076 volunteers have been trained, and we have animators who represent an active 3rd generation of our volunteers, that is, grandparents, parents and now the young members of the family participate in our institutional work. Through an open call, you are invited to participate in the two training courses for volunteers that are held each year and that are made known on our social networks. Through the CISS courses (introductory social service courses) that take place with private preparatory schools, here the participants have a first approach with the Institution and social work options, later they are invited to take the animators course. Many of those who participated as children in colonies of no resources and resources, being the age required to take the animators course (16 years old), come on their own initiative, love and commitment to the institution to train as volunteers. There are also two courses a year to train the most experienced animators to integrate them as Directors and Heads of the activities for that year and for the following years. So we are always working to keep the Volunteer staff with a good amount to be able to do the planned activities. There are also corporate volunteer days and brigades with allied socially responsible companies interested and committed to our mission. This commitment and volunteer work is what has enabled the care of 43,789 low income children in 514 colonies (camps) since 1965. Colonias de Vacaciones operates on two farms located in Tenancingo, State of Mexico. "Quinta Altamira (Don Cres)" with capacity to serve 70 children and Finca "Santa Teresa", with a capacity to serve 120 children; In other words, we can tend to 200 children simultaneously in one week. To raise funds, Colonias de Vacaciones runs two resource colonies a year for private school children who, through a donation, allow us to obtain funds to carry out the Non-resource Colonies. Another activity to raise funds is the realization of mini-colonies (weekend) for private schools, introductory courses to social service (CISS) for private high schools that in turn represent an approach and knowledge about volunteer work. The institution also has a base of private donors who monthly through a recurring position contribute their donation to the Institution, as well as the support of socially responsible companies, alliances with educational centers and other organizations in the non-profit sector.