ORPHAN CRISIS IN COLUMBIA
Colombia’s orphan crisis is deeply intertwined with decades of armed conflict, poverty, and social instability. Thousands of children across the country face abandonment, abuse, and displacement. Many are social orphans—children with living relatives who are unable to care for them due to addiction, violence, or poverty. Others have lost one or both parents to war, disease, or substance abuse.
In rural regions like Piendamó, Cauca, children are particularly vulnerable. Scarce access to education, healthcare, and family support creates environments where children are at risk of neglect, exploitation, or recruitment into armed groups. As the country continues to rebuild, children’s homes like Hogar Pamela Taylor are critical lifelines offering safety, healing, and hope.
HOGAR PAMELA TAYLOR
Founded in 2011, Hogar Pamela Taylor was born out of the calling and compassion of Pastor Hermelinda Tomasto. After noticing that no local church was addressing the needs of children in crisis, she and her husband began serving meals to vulnerable children every Saturday. This small effort soon grew into a fully established children’s home through faith, perseverance, and the support of others in ministry.
Today, the home is part of the Fundación Internacional Niños y Niñas por un Sueño and is officially registered as a children’s home in Colombia. Located in the rural community of Vereda La Florida in Piendamó, the facility now includes:
A residential children’s home
A pedagogical center for learning support
A family counseling service
A community dining hall (comedor)
A growing local church
With a committed team of staff and volunteers, the home provides holistic care for children who have experienced profound trauma and loss.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
ABUSE & TRAUMA
Many children arrive at the home due to histories of physical and sexual abuse. The home frequently receives referrals from family members or local child welfare authorities. These children require not only safe housing but also ongoing psychological and emotional support.
ABANDONMENT
Extreme poverty leads to children being abandoned by their caregivers. Some are left behind by parents unable to provide basic needs, while others are rescued from forced labor or situations of severe neglect.
DISPLACEMENT
Years of conflict in Colombia have left a legacy of displacement. Children from displaced families often lose access to education, housing, and social networks, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation or recruitment into violence.
WE BELIEVE
HOME
Hogar Pamela Taylor offers full-time care for up to 15 resident children, with additional services reaching 35 non-resident children. The facility is owned and constructed with brick, offering a durable, safe environment. Though modest, the home includes five functioning latrines and access to potable water through a public tap. The atmosphere is one of family and safety, overseen directly by the founder and a dedicated team of staff.
EDUCATION
All school-aged children attend public schools off-site, often traveling by bus or bicycle, as the home lacks its own transportation. While the schools are approximately 20 kilometers away, the home supplements academic learning through a local pedagogical center where children receive additional support and guidance.
FAITH
Faith is at the heart of this ministry. The home provides regular Bible studies, devotionals, discipleship programs, and leadership training. A church is currently being established on-site, though the children also attend a local congregation—Iglesia de Dios Nueva Vida—on Sundays.
HEALTH
Children receive regular medical checkups through the local hospital, just 5 kilometers away. Social workers and psychologists are involved in follow-ups and ongoing care. However, the home operates with limited resources and does not consistently provide three full meals per day. Meals typically include breakfast, two snacks, lunch, and dinner. Health needs are prioritized within budget constraints.