Why the History?
Given the situation of displacement due to violence in Colombia, Cigarra was founded in 2002 to help families who arrived having suffered emotional, physical and economic trauma.
The Foundation is located in Cuidad Bolivar, the district that has the largest population of displaced people in Bogota.The community of Puertas del Paraíso requested a safe place in order for parents to be able to go out to work.
For the last 20 years, the Foundation has been an island of solidarity for more than 1,500 children. It has provided them with affection, early stimulation, educational, emotional, recreational, nutritional and psychological support, regardless of their economic situation.
Mission
We are a non-profit organization that seeks to provide comprehensive quality care to children in an environment where they are given opportunities for communication, interaction and lifelong learning.
Vision
To create a world where all children, regardless of income, have access to quality childcare.
Inauguration of the Greta Thunberg Building
On 12th September, the Greta Thunberg building was inaugurated in honor of the Swedish activist who fights for environmental rights and the effects of climate change. This was made possible thanks to the financial support of ASOCOLDEP (Colombian Association of Private Education) and its president, Dr. María Belén Jiménez.
Music Building
The first floor of the music building was inaugurated and where the Second Hand Clothes Shop will be located. The second and third floors will be completed at a later date for the Music Department..
Inauguration of the dining room and kitchen
On 25th February, the building for the kitchen and dining room was completed with funds from the Wetton Foundation. The new administration office, two classrooms and restrooms are located on the second floor.
Senior Citizens
A group of 20 senior citizens ( later doubled) attend one day a week.
New group set up, named Malala
A new group was established for adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17, named "Malala," in honor of the Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, a girls' right's activist.
'Na' House -Bakery and Psychology
The "Na House" was purchased and adapted for a bakery funded by the NGO International Refugee Trust of the United Kingdom. The rest of the house will be set aside for health and psychology workshops.
Inauguration of the 'Cigarrita' Building for IT
The house called "Cigarrita" was purchased and renovated thanks to the NGO International Refugee Trust of the United Kingdom. We also set up the computer room, with 34 computers donated by St. George's School.
Bakery and Playground
35 adults registered for the bakery project and will be instructed by FUMDIR. We began the construction of the children's playground with the help of the community and the renovation of the Foundation's house. We leased premises for a multipurpose room.
Social Housing
The construction of 30 low-income housing units was initiated with funds from Servivienda and Saint George's School. Three additional houses on stilts will subsequently be built.