Soup kitchens in Colombia?

caulfield2 says on Jan 27, 2006, 15:00:

The reason I ask is that I was looking to start a small soup kitchen with some of my friends. This, after I ruled out the idea of a shelter or, more specifically, a Domestic Violence shelter...which seems to be non-existent in many parts of Colombia, for a variety of reasons I wont waste time writing about here.

I would have help from the students (high school and university) as well as their parents, hopefully enough to defray 80-90% of the cost. By the way, I teach at a school where the tuition is roughly $4,000 USD, so there is definitely money in the community to support something small like this.

Something like a Saturday breakfast and Sunday brunch or late lunch, just to get things started.

One of the things that will be interesting is finding a site...one that seems safe to volunteers, and yet it has to be affordable and relatively close to where many street people and homeless would have access to it. Obviously, not a Strato 5-6 neighborhood, but more along the lines of 2 or 3 minus, lol.

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caulfield2 says on Jan 27, 2006, 15:07:

http://www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=144922

Okay, I found a really good lead to at least get started with this...wish me luck!

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strata2woman says on Jan 27, 2006, 16:14:

Soup Kitchen/Food Bank Hi Caufield your idea is great! and all great social projects start with that an idea. Have you checked the local catholic church or a park for your saturday breakfast, these 2 locations are great because they are a neutral zone for people to come to as well as large enough to accomodate a good size group and free of charge. Now, you understand that you will need a kitchen to prepare the meals, is there a place in Armenia where you are that will allowed you and your volunteers to cook large amounts of food [perhaps a restaurant] assuming that you group will do the cooking, or will restaurants and individuals be donating the food? if that is the case, good, at least you will not have to deal with the local health department as it is in the states. Keep us posted how it is going?

I will be going to Barranquilla soon and I'm planning to start a food bank and a food coop in my family's neighborhood. They live in strata 2. I'm very familiar with both the planning and the implementation. Remember that raising funds is always the problem for any non profit endeavour. Good luck friend.

Corroncha and proud of it!

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.
Janis Joplin

- "con sombrero vueltiao y abarcas de tres puntá"

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caulfield2 says on Jan 28, 2006, 06:39:

That is what I have been going back and forth on.

Ultimately, I would like to have other services (counseling, child care, training or re-training, life skills or parenting classes, nutrition information, transportation, computers, etc.) that could send representatives to help deal with some of the specific issues which lead to homelessness or poverty living.

I am undecided about renting a space or working through an existing organization or church. The thing that scares me is starting something and being so overwhelmed...of being able to define what is success. For instance, we will feed X number of people today and be content with that.

If you follow the link from this thread, it seems like the Cali Food Bank (you pay 10% of the approximate value of what you take in cash) would be a good beginning, although the volume for a couple of meals per week might not make the transportation costs justifiable. Then there are the grocers and wholesalers to connect with.

I have the money to fund it by myself if I wanted to, but I would like to get more buy-in and ownership from parents and the community so it would be sustainable after I leave. Of course, there are grants available as well, but they all come with strings attached.

Ultimately, I would like to bundle the soup kitchen idea with a health care initiative that was innovative, replicable and of interest to the Gates Foundation. Most of their money is going into Africa and Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.) right now.

What do you think the biggest health care crisis is now in Colombia...or, more importantly, what will it be 10-25 years from now?

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haji says on Jan 28, 2006, 07:14:

I tried to meet you in Armenia ,when you first arrived.Im sorry we didnt meet.Your idea is a noble one but, there are things here in Colombia that will hinder it greatly--When we were there my wife and I feed alot of the homless and clothed them. We saw the need, so I checked into alot of diffrent things, as I have alot of resourses, since I was Diretor of Volunteeres of America in Ohio and started many soup kitchens ect..
But the main problem will be funding ,the next will be people seem to mean well, but, they dont follow through, especially here. So when you are depending on their money or time, you wont have it.
The other thing here is the street people like their life.
My advise is dont rent at first,make your food,walk around feeding people,and others will see, and they will come to you, to help at least they did us.Once you gain support it will be easier.There is alot of work in this.and if you dont start small you will have problems . I started a kitchen in Mansfield had 14 volunteers ready they said, the kitchen opened and it was just my wife and I No one showed up and we feed 600 people that day.
Now if you are serious, Our friend is the head of Ninos de los Andeas, and he can help you. He started with his own funds, write me I will give you contact info. Good luck

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poco says on Jan 28, 2006, 13:30:

Reminds me of the depression organization or church

I suggest you work with or if necessary, create your vision using Colombian services and personnel. I have a suspicion that many folks try to do good and end up causing more damage than good.

The U.S. has helped the world and look what you have,,, folks hate Americans,, those rich folk meddling in their affairs.

You should get heavily involved,, either organization or direct help,,, it would seem ill advised to let it be known how it gets funded.

If this is free,, let me know and I’ll have a few relatives and of course their entire block show up for lunch. They should quality,,, they live in a “2�,, but if necessary they could say they lived in a “1�. I’m not kidding much,, this is what happens unless you attach a cost OR take the time to assure services provided are obtained by the correct folks.

Really,, every drug addict will apply,,, are you funding drug addiction ? No,, only prolonging the agony,, eh?? Maybe give them a hot and a cot so they can go out refreshed to rob, steal and murder ?

Hummm,, with 6 Billion people in the world,, and that number growing,, what do you think the number one problem might be ? Could it be that having 6 kids and being uneducated leads to poverty?

Gates foundation,, this is the first time I’ve heard the name gates in conjunction with good,, I thought he was in cahoots with Walmart to screw the world ??? Gosh,, the guy has a foundation and might help people,, I understand it’s a puny foundation,, he only funded 30 Billion,,, I’d think that is more money than some countries pay,, countries that are PROUD their government (not private) is a big provider of charity… :)

Interesting that folks can spend $4,000 (per child) for education,, gosh,, many on PBH think they can live well on one thousand a month,, two thousand is huge and above that is a kings ransom !!!!

Oh,, I bought this in Armenia a couple of weeks ago,, anyone know what it is ?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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bufalo says on Jan 29, 2006, 09:53:

Poco, what is it? Looks like a coat rack or something. I'd have to agree with you, even though we disagreed before - Not sure if it is directly health related - one big freaking problem in colombia has been, and will continue to be too many births. Some politician in Tulua is trying to push underage kids to have condoms at all times in the streets. Meaning, when they check them for their cedula, if no condom, they are brought to the station as well. I have a daughter that is going on 3 and I tell you, we want to live and raise her in colombia but I'm really worried about her future. sure there is ignorance in the states, absolutely, but not the amount that I have seen here. Too many same family sex stories, people talk about prostis in front of children, men whip it out in front of families to take a leak, too many geezers with child-friends. Here a 15 year old girl has no problem going out with a 20 + year old. I've seen strong values here in Colombia, but only when I find them, usually they aren't there and in its place is ignorance.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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poco says on Jan 29, 2006, 11:01:

The mid-driff blouse, with the low slung pants,, Yikes Before the age of 20 I determined that having kids AND raising them properly. ie; giving them the opportunity for an education or pursue other career paths was an absolute necessity,, an EXPENSIVE and TIME CONSUMING necessity.

Thus,, I decided a vasectomy was necessary,, that is if I wanted to avoid poverty for 25 years. Almost NO ONE in the early 70’s had that procedure. Today,, more but unfortunately,, not the poor.

So,, NO KIDS and many acquaintances say I’m lucky. Luck has very little to do with anything beside health, accidents and the availability of opportunity.

There should be an required operation for all male babies,, installing a valve on their sperm ducts,,, HA,, I’d bet within days there would be huge protests and if ONE baby died class action law suits would result.

The girl I’m with understands the problem,, she might see a young pregnant girl and say: “She will be poor for the rest of her life�.

She had a lover after her husband died and he wanted a baby,, great thinking,,, not married,, just wanted it. After a couple of years he asked to see a doctor,,, and she did,,, couldn’t understand then problem,,, Then she LAUGHED,,, she was on the pill and not telling him,,,,,

Purposely didn’t photo a size perspective, or side orientation,, ha,, saw it in the store and I didn’t know what it was. So,, here it is “in service�.. Looks great on the table.



Armenia is the best place to obtain Guadua construction, art and craft work.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 29, 2006, 11:11:

low rise pants is just a part of it Look, as alluring as our sweet young Colombianas may be, the fact remains that even well before they were so promiscuous, the pregnancy was fairly high. I am certain that the socio economic factors is (are) the most reasons for this the high teen age pregnancy rate. In every continent throughout the world, the poorest societies have the a very high pregnancy rate. Indeed, even here in the US, the teenage pregnancy rate among those in the lowest socio economic rung, is much higher than the norm.

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caulfield2 says on Jan 29, 2006, 13:54:

Perhaps you are right, but you have to get over yourself. It reminds me of Malcolm X saying that he could never work with people that were white...a viewpoint he changed as he evolved philosophically.

Yes, it would be great if the models that are being constructed in Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, etc. (a mixture of socialism with free market capitalism) proved to be successful.

As far as the Gates Foundation goes, certainly some of what they have done would be considered ENLIGHTENED self-interest. They are going to use Microsoft products as part of the grant-making process, what would you expect?

However, they have funded lots of innovative health care strategies in Africa and Central Asia...anything from simple vaccinations and the creation of serums that do not have to be refrigerated to spurring further AIDS funding (not only from US pharmaceuticals but also the Bush Administration)...their philosophy has been they might not have the perfect solution, but trying something and fixing what isnt right is much better than sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing. And yes, the Gates are still spending less than the WHO and many countries...what they are trying to do is LEVERAGE other countries into giving by challenging them in the court of public opinion. For instance, Bono had the goal of getting every country to earmark 0.7% for foreign aid. Canada waffled. The US is closer to 0.1% or one-tenth of one percent in terms of helping other countries around the world. Obviously, the private and corporate donations for things like tsunami and earthquake relief are a different story, and an area where the US can do lots of good in terms of its reputation, especially in predominantly Middle Eastern Islamic nations...as well as Malaysia and Indonesia.

Whatever you think of G8 meetings, the US, the Tri-Lateral Commission, George Soros, the WTO...that there were guarantees of the forgiveness of $50 billion worth of Third World foreign debt is a huge step forward. Heck, 20% of US government payments go to service OUR debt to other creditors around the world, primarily the Japanese and Germans.

By the way, I took a 4 hour long ride down the Rio Viejo (I think that is the name) about 15 minutes south of Tebaida. We went on a guadua boat that barely stayed afloat, but it was a fun and relaxing time.

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poco says on Jan 29, 2006, 18:38:

Tax payer Charity ? The US is closer to 0.1% or one-tenth of one percent in terms of helping other countries around the world.

I’m curious,, that number,, what is the basis ?

Is the government giving to charity? If it is,, are the tax payers paying charity, via Uncle Sam? I don’t think the U.S. government should pay one cent to charity with tax payers money,,

Private charity, grants, corporate gifts and endowments etc. ,,,, these are private donations,, right ? Is that amount the one tenth of one percent, or added or what?

Also,, are you taking NEW money? Is the perpetual funding / appreciation counted? Ie: Do you include the numbers being spent every year by private charity?

Is military aid “charity� ? Ha,,, I’d bet some think it is !!!

I’m not in a position to research this,,,

Bono and Africa,, I remember when he and,,, Malcom Forbes ? made a trip years back,,, media played it as a big joke,, hummm,, no so funny now that bono has obtained results. Still,, when Bono makes a statement like “I remember a man (woman?) holding up a baby and pleading for me to take him,,, or he will die.�

Sad,, but why did the stupid bastard have one in the first place ! Don’t let me hear “ignorance�,,, no,, there is a big difference…. Please,, plead “Ambulatory Brain Death�,, but not ignorance,,,

What comes first,,, stupidity, poverty or a bunch of kids you can’t raise? The Colombian I'm with thinks stupidity comes first.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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