Sister helping at The Farm

One of many awards that Sister Valeriana has received.

It all started when...

She was born in Ecija, Spain, in a Christian home, the sixth of fourteen children.  As a young lady, she entered the Philippian community of the daughters of the Virgin Mary and began her discipleship in Cordoba, Spain.  In 1970 she was transferred to Colombia and sent to work in Palmira City, Valle. 

For the next 13 years she had various assignments in Colombia and Panama. The responsibilities included training single mothers, instructing children in religious education, working with the homeless and the sick and teaching nursing at a reform school.

In 1983 she requested an assignment outside of her religious community and despite some difficulty, this request was granted.  She began work as the Director of the boarding school and later became the Assistant Director of the Juan Antonio Pardo Ospina Foundation, an institute for blind children.  During the time she was at the Institute, she saw many children rejected and abandoned by their parents because they were blind.

She had often dreamt of providing a home for children with visual impairments.  At the end of 1989, before she resigned from the institute, she shared her vision with her family in Spain.  They were not only receptive to her vision for these children but also willing to offer her financial assistance.

With divine providence and the generosity of her family, Sister Valeriana was able to purchase an old house in Southeast Bogota.  The home opened in February 1990 and was residence for 4 children with visual impairments.  The home also began to offer services to community nursery schools as a way of promoting the well being of the children. 

In January 1991, the Colombian Institute for Family Well-Being sent a group of abandoned and visually impaired children to the home.  One of the children that arrived was Rosa Maria Rivera, a child with cerebral palsy.  With Rosa’s arrival, Sister Valerian’s mission evolved further to welcome and protect all abandoned children.  It would include children in need whether due to poverty, neglect or disability.

The home became a pioneer institute for integrated education; a place where values were taught and love was offered.  With the help of friends and supporters, the home obtained legal status on June 15, 1994.  From that time until today, the project has continued to develop and grow.  It has evolved in the areas of education,  healthcare, rehabilitation and prevention and now offers care for over 850 children in Bogota and the surrounding areas.