Asociación Hogares Luz Y Vida, which translates to the Association of Homes of Light and Life, provides care, nutrition, schooling, and many other means of support for several hundred children in Bogotá and surrounding areas.
The Association, founded by Sister Valeriana, has been a vital part of their community for over 30 years. The primary function has been to provide a home for abandoned, high-risk children and youth, and children with a wide variety of disabilities. The most important goal is to provide a safe nurturing home for these children and youth. There is a strong, ongoing commitment to care for them through whatever life circumstance arises.
A Glimpse into Hogares Luz y Vida
The Main Residence - Casa San José (The Hogar)
Fiesta time - everyone gathered together for a celebration! At the Hogar, no one is left behind….no one!!
Main Residence - Hogares Luz y Vida
Sleeping Quarters
Each child has their own comfy space for rest. At the Hogar its early to bed and early to rise!
Intensive Care Area
Intensive care unit with 15 cribs for infants and children to receive oxygen, respiratory treatments or special feeding.
What we believe
…Malnutrition and the absence of care in the early stages of life are the main mechanisms for the transmission of inequality.
Developmental Play Area
What we believe
….Early childhood development is one of the most effective tools to end the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
Lots of industry and active play in the infant and toddler area.
The Hogar has more than the above photos reveal…
The Hogar also has a large community dining area, auditorium, two-story laundry area, a barbershop, a dental room, a small chapel, and administrative offices. Sister Valeriana also lives at the Hogar.
Hans Hoffman - The Hans Hoffman Integration School
Also referred to as Colegio, this was one of the first schools in Bogota where children with disabilities could attend. The school was founded by Sister Valeriana with help from the Bogota Rotary Club and others. The entire school is wheelchair accessible and provides sliding scale education for the children from the local barrio as well as education for the children from the Hogar.There are also early pre-school education programs and nutrition is provided for all students.
Hans Hoffman School
Hans Hoffman School
Kids lined up in the morning before their classes. Grades 1-12 included at this school as well as preschool programs.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- Nelson Mandela
La Granja Integral de Nuestra Señora del Valle (la Finca) - The Farm
The farm - otherwise known as "la finca" has been an ongoing project rooted in sustainability. La finca (the farm) is a working farm that helps to support both the residents there and at the Hogar back in Bogota. The farm provides fruits, vegetables, and other farm products and contributes toward the sustainability of the Hogares Luz y Vida association.
Many of the youth that reside there have important responsibilities and all that are able to help with daily farm chores. It is a beautiful rural setting and a perfect environment for most of the children and youth, especially those with autism and other disabilities making standard education models and urban residency difficult, if not impossible.
The Farm - La Finca
Casa Tio Sergio- Chronic Care Center
A newly renovated space that is walking distance from the Hogar where 50+ infants and children reside. These children require total care and most are fed by a gastric feeding tube. The center includes a stimulation room, a massage therapy area, medication room, kitchen, laundry and is fully ramped. It is a bright sunny colorful space to maximize the residents” visual stu=imulation.
A bright, sunny space for many of the Hogar’s children that require extra special care.
Chronic Care Center
