Colombia is the fourth-largest country in South America and the only one with coasts on both the Pacific and Caribbean. Part of the Ring of Fire, Colombia houses dense jungles and verdant farmlands, and is dominated by the majestic Andes. It shares borders with Panama (to the northwest), Venezuela (east), Brazil (southeast), Peru (south) and Ecuador (southwest).

As the country lies close to the equator, the average temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures do, however, vary with altitude; as a general rule, the temperature falls about 6 degrees centigrade with every 1000m (3280ft) increase in altitude. Colombia's equatorial climate features two seasons: verano (dry) and invierno (wet). But because of the country's complex geographical and altitudinal factors, there is no universal pattern of seasons.

Spainards first sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as 1500. After the defeat of the Spanish army, Colombia's democracy emerged. Colombia's history has been characterized by periods of conflict and civil war despite their commitment to democracy.

The diverse population of Colombia mirrors the history and mixed culture of the country. The population consists of Amerindians, Africans, Europeans and those who migrated from Asia and the Middle East. Today, with an estimated 44.6 million people, Colombia has the third largest Spanish- speaking population in the world, only following Mexico and the United States.

The Toy and Its Story

Child Welfare Efforts

Through Gladney's child welfare efforts, we are able to offer support to the following programs in Colombia:

Birth Mother's Program

Since 1999, the Birth Mother's Program has assisted over 600 women who were at high-social risk. The program offers heath awareness to promote general physical well-being, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and provides excellent post-natal care. The program also puts on workshops addressing birth control, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, child abuse, and vocations. The Birth Mother's program allows the mother to decide whether or not she wants to terminate the pregnancy. The program has a wonderful six person staff and with the facilities to have twelve beds. The Gladney Center for Adoption supports the Birth Mother's Program and donates $30,000 annually.

Corporación Centro de Adopciones Casa de Maria y El Niño Corporación Centro de Adopciones Casa de Maria y El Niño protects children who come from broken homes due to the absence of one or both parents. The Corporación defends the children who are being violated of their rights and focuses on the right to be educated. Currently, the Corporación provides schooling for 30 children, who range from preschool to high school levels. Most of the children who enter the institution are not enrolled in schools or they have their studies interrupted for a variety of reasons. The children are enrolled in a school an hour and a half from the institution at El Poblado neighborhood in Santa Catalina, which belongs to INEM Jose Felix de restrepo. There is a concern for transporting the 30 children to and from school to assure their safety and integrity is not violated. Gladney Center for Adoption helps with the transportation of the children as well as the institution by donating $12,947.

Centro de AdopciónChiquitines

Centro de AdopciónChiquitines was founded in 1978 by a group of Colombian citizens who wanted to offer assistance to the lives of abandoned children. Since 1978, Chiquintines has placed over 2,500 legally abandoned children with adoptive families. They strive to place children with families that will provide love, security, and protection, and that is why Chiquintines works with the government protection program to guarantee their rights and continue with finding families for all of the children. Many of the children referred to Chiquitines come from abuse and approximately 60 percent of the children are malnourished. They provide nutitional supplements to children diagnosed with malnutrition, but the program is looking for additional support to maintain the nutritional and health programs. Centro de AdopciónChiquitines is a private, non-profit organization with a license from InstituoColobiano de Bienstar Familiar (ICBF) to operate as a private adoptive house. With additional support, the organization can help guarantee the permanence of a nutritionist and physician who will examine the children on a monthly basis. Gladney Center for Adoption contributes to Centro de AdopciónChiquitines annually with a $12,000 donation.

Colombian Holidays

• Jan 1 - New Year's Day
• Jan 6 - Epiphany- The day the wise men adore the infant Jesus.
• Mar 19 - St. Joseph's Day- A feast in honor of St. Joseph, husband to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Apr 9 - Maundy Thursday- Celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
• Apr 10 - Good Friday- Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
• May 21 - Ascension- Feast in honor of the Ascension of Christ Jesus.
• June 11 - Corpus Christi- Commemorating the supreme gift of the institution by Jesus of the Holy Eucharist on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday, or on the Sunday following that Thursday.
• June 30 - Sagrado Corazon- A religious devotion to Jesus' sacred heart
• July 3 - St. Peter and St. Paul- Celebrates both Jesus' first and last disciples.
• July 20 - Independence Day
• Aug 7 - Battle of Boyaca- The battle where Colombia gained its definitive independence from Spain.
• Aug 15 - Assumption- The Virgin Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. This feast day recognizes Mary's passage into Heaven and is celebrated as The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Oct 12 - Columbus Day
• Nov 1 - All Saints Day
• Nov 11 - Independence of Cartagena City- The city of Cartagena declared its independence on this day in 1811.
• Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception- A feast in honor of the conception of the Virgin Mary without Original Sin. Not to be confused with the Mary's virginal conception of Christ.
• Dec 25 - Christmas Day

* In Colombia, feasting and spending time with family at home or on small day trips and outings is customary for all holidays. Colombia has the most recognized public holidays in the world. Perhaps that is why surveys render them among the happiest people in the world.

To learn more about adopting from Colombia, please request one of Gladney's free, comprehensive Adoption Information Packets. Make your request on-line or by calling 1-800-INT-ADOP.