The protection of children in Colombia and Mexico also depends on the ability to connect families, schools, social services and professionals who work with children and adolescents every day. This is the starting point for Juntos por la Vida, a project implemented in both countries that will reach more than 1,000 beneficiaries through educational activities, mental health interventions and support pathways for children and the adults who care for them.
Funded by the Italian CAI – Commission for International Adoptions, the initiative brings together AVSI, the local organization AVSI Mexico AC and Foundation Monserrate with the aim of strengthening services working with children and adolescents exposed to vulnerable situations. The project is also implemented in collaboration with SRAI, Regional International Adoption Service, and Centro Adozioni la Maloca.
Child protection in Colombia and Mexico: working with services and families
Over the next 18 months, the project will work in contexts where many children and adolescents face challenges that can affect their development: school dropout, violence, family neglect, social exclusion, early pregnancy and relationship difficulties.
The project will directly involve 630 children and adolescents and 410 adults, combining educational activities, family support, professional training and the piloting of new tools to provide care for children in vulnerable situations.
The approach adopted in both countries connects public institutions, social organizations and families to strengthen coordination among services for children and adolescents.
In Mexico, educational activities for more than 400 children
In the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco, the project will work with institutions responsible for child protection to improve care and adoption pathways and strengthen coordination among services, families and communities.
Around 100 public-sector professionals will take part in training programmes focused on child protection. At the same time, almost 200 boys and girls will participate in the Juega con los Niños programme, which combines play, learning and interactive content. Through participatory methods, the programme promotes cognitive, relational and emotional skills in inclusive educational settings.
A further 200 children and adolescents will take part in activities designed to promote wellbeing and awareness in relationships and prevent situations of risk such as violence, school dropout, social exclusion and other circumstances that may affect their growth and development.
In Colombia, a focus on education and mental health
In Colombia, activities will take place in Bogotá and Villavicencio, where the project will connect education, health and family support.
In Villavicencio, an early childhood centre managed by Fondazione Monserrate will be strengthened through educational and support activities for children and their caregivers. In the same city and in Bogotá, extracurricular educational programmes for children and adolescents will also be introduced.
Mental health is another important area of the project. In Bucaramanga, AVSI will pilot a model for children and adolescents within child protection systems who experience emotional, relational or behavioural difficulties.
The approach includes psychological support, personalised educational activities and the involvement of adults who play a significant role in the children's lives. The aim is to identify and address situations of distress at an early stage, promoting children's wellbeing and reducing the use of medication when it is not strictly necessary.
Juntos por la Vida at a glance
Juntos por la Vida is an 18-month project funded by the CAI – Commission for International Adoptions, with SRAI (Regional International Adoption Service) and Centro Adozioni la Maloca as partners. It is implemented in Colombia and Mexico by AVSI, AVSI Mexico AC and Fondazione Monserrate.
The initiative involves 1,040 direct beneficiaries, including 630 children and adolescents and 410 adults, through educational activities, training for public-sector professionals, family support, mental health interventions and activities focused on child and adolescent protection.
Activities take place in the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco and in the Colombian cities of Bogotá, Bucaramanga and Villavicencio, with particular attention to children and adolescents exposed to social, family and educational vulnerabilities.