WHO WE
ARE
FOUNDATION FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF ABANDONED
CHILDREN - FANA
50 years protecting the rights of the children of Colombia.
MISSION AND VISION
What we believe in.
FANA is the Foundation for the Assistance of Abandoned Children, a private non-profit social institution dedicated to the comprehensive protection of children. FANA strengthens family systems to make them guarantors of rights so that children, within their family, can develop their potential and be happy.
OUR MOTTO
"Giving a family to a child and not a child to a family."
MISSION
Project and strengthen children, adolescents, and families to transform their lives and generate a society that guarantees children's rights.
VISION
Strengthen the family so that it is part of a society that protects its children and allows them to dream.
To be recognized for the impact it generates in Colombian society for its effective and sustainable in favor of children and families.
IMPACT
What Do We Do
15,110
families
14,800
Children
29,910
Beneficiaries
50 years
of work
FANA'S STORY
50 years of love and dedication
Founder of FANA
MERCEDES ROSARIO PINEDA DE MARTÍNEZ
(1939-2012)
She dedicated her life, soul and heart to the foundation and to protecting the rights of Colombian children, especially their right to have a family.
She married Arturo Martínez Gómez (1937-2016) and together they built and watched FANA grow. Today their legacy remains stronger than ever under the leadership of their two daughters.
The FANA project commenced in September 1971 during a discussion between Mercedes and good friends, who remain part of the Council of Founders.
Initially, they welcomed children into their own homes because they did not have a facility. Later, in order for their initiative to have a legal basis, they began negotiations with the necessary authorities.
In 1972, FANA obtained operating authorization by the Ministry of Justice and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare. The first house was rented on the corner of Carrera 7A and Calle 65 in Bogota. Mercedes then hired nurses, administrative services and some volunteers were organized.
The facilities were soon small. With great efforts and many contacts, it was possible for the Institute of Urban Development (IDU) to rent FANA a house at 71A Street
No. 5-67.
Later, with a generous donation from the Christian Associations of the Netherlands, Mercedes bought the adjoining house. Health services were expanded, and new qualified staff were hired. FANA spent 23 years at this location.
OUR CURRENT FACILITY
View the beautiful facilities of FANA
OUR FACILITY
In 1995 we moved to our current facility located in Suba, in the city of Bogotá.
We have a beautiful and spacious plot of 12,500 m2, and a facility built especially for the work of FANA, with the capacity to accommodate up to 150 children.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Find out the accolades we have obtained over our 48 years of work.
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Order Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada by the Town Hall of Bogotá.
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The Norwegian Red Cross awarded the INTER-ARMA CARITAS Award in 1977.
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The Founder Mercedes Rosario Pineda de Martínez was nominated among the 10 Women of the Year, in Bogota, Colombia, 1978.
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The Mayor of Santa Fe de Bogotá, Juan Martín Caicedo Ferrer, by Decree No. 051, awarded FANA with the CIVIL ORDER TO THE MERIT CITY OF BOGOTA in the rank of Grand Officer. January 31, 1992.
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His Holiness John Paul II, in Vatican City, granted the order PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE. January 31, 1992.
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The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare "I.C.B.F.", awarded the ORDER TO MERIT FAMILY WELFARE. February 24, 1992.
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The Community of Grey Sisters of Charity in Montreal, Canada, granted the HUMANITARIAN ORDER SAINTE MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE. February 1992.
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The Diario EL COLOMBIANO, granted the 7th. NATIONAL SOLIDARITY AWARD, Institutions category. June 29, 1993.
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The Minister of Justice of the French Republic, Pierre Mehaignerie, granted the MEDAILLE OF THE JUDICIARY PROTECTION OF THE JEUNESSE. August 4, 1993.
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The President of France, Francois Miterrand, awarded the ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LÉGION D'HONNEUR in the Degree of Chevalier de La Légion D'Honneur. Paris, France. May 12, 1995.
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The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs conferred the NATIONAL MERIT ORDER in the Silver Cross Degree. April 20, 1997.
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The Archdiocese of Buffalo awarded the FATHER BAKER SERVICE TO YOUTH AWARD. November 13, 1998.
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The Family Compensation Fund – CAFAM, awarded the XIII Cafam Women's Award to Mercedes Rosario Pineda de Martínez. March 2001.
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The Presidency of the Republic of Colombia conferred on the NATIONAL MERIT ORDER in the Rank of Commander. February 4, 2002.
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The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare granted the MERIT RECOGNITION. November 24, 2008.
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The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare recognized the meritorious nature of social work, exalted the leadership and commitment of FANA’s Founder and recognized the performance of the team. August 08, 2012.
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House of Representatives presented Dr. Elena Martínez, director of the FANA Foundation, Simon Bolivar Order to Democracy in the rank of Official Cross. May 2017.
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Aflora, awarded Recognition as a trend-setting organization in the social sector and is at the Growth Level. December 2018.
House of Representatives presented Dr. Elena Martínez, director of the FANA Foundation, Order to Democracy Simon Bolivar in the rank of Official Cross. May 2017.
FRIENDS AND SUPPORT GROUPS
Organizations and groups linked to the cause.
FRIENDS OF FANA
Famous SUPPORTERS
AmiFANA
Friends
by FANA
Barcelona
Friends
by FANA
Bourdeaux
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