Children Change Colombia
The international NGO Children Change Colombia works with children and their families in Colombia to challenge violence, poverty and inequality. The organisation’s aim is to support, protect and empower children and young people that are the victims or survivors of some of Colombia’s most neglected issues. It does so by strengthening local grassroots to beneficially impact communities and defend children’s long-term rights.
Over the last 33 years, Children Change Colombia has supported over 72,000 children to overcome poverty, lack of education, and the trauma of armed conflict and displacement. The charity has raised over £15 million to date to fund 68 projects.
Alfred Pobi – Multilingual Sales Leader
Alfred Pobi – Multilingual Sales Leader
Alfred Pobi – Children Change Colombia
In his work on behalf of the charity, Alfred Pobi has provided the organisation with some insight regarding how they can screen companies and individuals (at a basic level) in response to increasing AML regulations.
One of the key issues that the charity tackles is the recruitment of children into armed groups and reintegrating affected children into society. Armed groups in Colombia brutalize the children they recruit, and those who attempt to flee often pay for this decision with their lives. Those who do manage to escape face insufficient support from the state and stigmatisation, making it impossible for them to rebuild their lives. Children Change Colombia is working with local partners to make communities safer places for children to grow up and has developed programmes to keep children off the streets and away from the threat of recruitment.
Exclusion from education is another important area of concern for the organisation. Currently, around 11% of all school-age children in Colombia are not receiving any formal education, and it can be difficult for the most at-risk children to remain in school. Children Change Colombia is working with partners in several rural areas of the country to help young people understand and demand their right to accessible, high-quality education. Projects involve vocational training, work on environmental issues and the use of innovative educational technologies.
