Waldorf in the neighbourhood of Bandidos Crimininales
Columbia: The Centro Educativo y Social Waldorf (CES-Waldorf) in Bogotá offers people from the slums counseling, lessons and extra-mural activities, as well as medical assistance. Since 2002 over 1000 children and teenagers and their relatives have found help here.
Lists of names, which are stuck on doors at night, are reminders to the people of Barrio Sierra Morena, as to who has the power in their hands. The people whose names are on the list are killed in so called “cleansing acts”. In this way the people are forced to obey the rules and fear and insecurity are spread, which makes it easier to control Biarrios. The Aguilas Negras (the black eagles) are in charge in Sierra Morena, a para-military organization, which is described by the government as a bandadas criminales (gang of criminals), but which has more power than this description leads one to think. Names of children from CES Waldorf have also been on the lists of the Aguilas Negras and they had to be brought into safety.
All of that aside, the CES-Waldorf has managed to organize itself in such a way that it can work undisturbed to large degree. On seven tiny properties on the side of a hill a house was built, where there is now a kindergarten, the PAES (Programa de Apoyo Educativo Social), a kind of afternoon school for children between the ages of 6 and 16, and the administration for the social work.
The 66 children between 2 ½ and 4 ½ years of age are looked after by two teachers and two assistants from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The children receive breakfast, lunch and a snack before they go home. In addition, they and their parents have the opportunity to ask questions and express their needs.
Family support is an importent issue for PAES. Sculpturing courses, theatre work, music lessons, extra lessons and help with homework are also offered.
The medical centre is very important. Due to poor nutrition the children in Barrios grow slowly and often get infections, while the adults suffer from old-age sicknesses much too early. Amongst the women there are many who have been diagnosed with cancer. In about 30% of the families there are cases of alcoholism.
300 children a year can be cared for at CES-Waldorf. However, the consequences of the worldwide financial crisis forced the co-workers to take on other jobs in addition to their work at CES-Waldorf. As a result only 200 children could be assisted in 2009. For this reason it is vitally important to support this Waldorf educational centre in Bogotá with further donations.
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CES Waldorf
Cra 18A No 101 - 42, P. 3
Bogotá DC
Colombia
Tel.: +57 1 6367 466
info@ceswaldorf.org.co
Contact: Helmut von Loebell