The Unydos Foundation breaks the cycle of poverty by empowering children and their families through comprehensive development programs. Legally constituted in Colombia as a non-profit, this foundation has invested in self-reliance and lasting transformation for vulnerable children and youth since 2010.
Colombian non-profits can create lasting change through comprehensive support rather than temporary assistance. We are a foundation committed to the well-being of vulnerable children and their families. We provide transformative spaces that enable them to see opportunities for their comprehensive fulfillment.
Unydos Foundation emerged in 2010 to address critical gaps in Colombia’s early childhood development landscape. The organization launched during a period when approximately 2.8 million children under age six lived in poverty, with 14% experiencing stunted growth.
What Problems Do Vulnerable Children In Colombia Face?
Colombian children face systematic barriers that prevent them from reaching their potential. Approximately 2 million children experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse annually, creating an urgent need for organizations that invest in integrated well-being rather than temporary assistance.
- Exposure to drugs and violence: Drug exposure threatens children’s development from an early age.
- Educational and healthcare barriers: Educational access remains severely limited across Colombia. Over 5 million school-aged children received no education in 2021. Healthcare disparities compound these challenges, with basic health needs going unmet.
- Psychological trauma and family separation: Armed conflict robs children of their childhood, creating fear, mistrust and difficulty facing new challenges. Family displacement affects approximately 520,000 children, who face risks of sexual and gender-based violence in overcrowded shelters.
How Did The Foundation Begin Its Journey In 2010?
From a Small Act of Faith to a Community Refuge
Our journey began in 2010 with a leap of faith that laid the foundation. We started with only about 70 children, a handful of passionate volunteers and just enough money for the first month’s rent in what we affectionately call our little green house. It was an act of complete trust in a greater mission.
This early commitment quickly built momentum and by 2014, our work had become formalized: we successfully achieved legal constitution as a fully transparent non-profit entity (ESAL) in Colombia. This rigorous process ensures our accountability and guarantees that every resource invested goes directly to the children.
Building Our Dream: Dignity, Bricks and Unwavering Commitment
Between 2014 and 2018, the dream of a new, larger headquarters took shape, inspired by the need to serve more children than our first house could hold. We faced immense challenges—ill-intentioned professionals and frustrating regulations—but our commitment never wavered.
This perseverance, powered by the love and dedication of partners like Mission Possible (Joe and Sadie Law), resulted in a monumental achievement in 2018. We finally inaugurated a two-story facility where every brick was laid to demonstrate the dignity our children deserve. The space is a tangible expression of respect, featuring fully equipped commercial kitchens and bright, expansive areas for play and learning.
A Legacy of Impact and Hope
Today, in 2025, 15 years later, Unydos stands as a vital refuge and a beacon of hope. We are proud to have supported over 180 families and delivered more than 300,000 nutritious meals, a testament to the dedication of our 100+ volunteers and founding board members. Our facility offers a moment of reprieve amid a chaotic world, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of children through smiles, love and respect. Your support helps us continue to be the source of opportunity and transformation for those who need it most.
Be part of the solution – every contribution feeds directly into our five-pillar Integral Development approach, creating measurable outcomes for Colombia’s most vulnerable children.
Unydos Foundation: Three Reasons to Support Us
The Unydos Foundation stands as proof that empowerment can create lasting transformation. Our rigorous Accountability process, collaboration with independent auditors (Asesorías BNG S.A.S) and government recognition since 2014 demonstrate measurable impact through integral development rather than temporary assistance.
- From Crisis to Opportunity: Colombia’s vulnerable children face overwhelming challenges. Unydos directly counters these statistics through comprehensive support that addresses root causes, not symptoms.
- The Anti-Assistentialism Approach: We reject prolonged welfare; we invest in self-reliance and lasting transformation. Our Five Pillars (Cognitive, Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, Socio-Familiar) create sustainable pathways that break cycles of poverty through personalized, integral development.
- Legal Authority and Trust: Legally constituted in Colombia as a non-profit (ESAL), Unydos maintains transparent operations and government validation. The Colombian Government recognized our innovative approaches to poverty reduction, positioning us among trusted organizations for sustainable impact.
Your donation is the opportunity for one more life to shine. Contact our team in Fundación Unydos through email or leave us a message on our website, so that we can reach out. The 60 children and families currently flourishing through our programs represent just the beginning of what becomes possible through sustained partnership and comprehensive support.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main focus of Unydos Foundation?
Unydos Foundation is a Colombian non-profit organization dedicated to building better futures for vulnerable children. They provide comprehensive support, including nutrition, psychological attention and creative development programs.
Q2. What major milestones has the Unydos Foundation achieved since its founding in 2010?
The Foundation has achieved significant milestones rooted in faith and commitment. Key accomplishments include supporting over 250 children and delivering more than 300,000 nutritious meals. We achieved legal non-profit status in 2014 and, most notably, inaugurated our two-story facility in 2018, designed to demonstrate the dignity every child deserves.
Q3. What are some of the challenges faced by vulnerable children in Colombia?
Vulnerable children in Colombia face issues such as exposure to drugs and violence, lack of access to education and healthcare, emotional neglect and social exclusion. Approximately 2 million children are victims of abuse each year.