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onthegroundinternational

#NewArticle Our volunteer Anna, from Belgium, who

#NewArticle Our volunteer Anna, from Belgium, who has been with us for 2 months, has created a collection of impactful moments and memories from the current international and local OTGI volunteers. A beautiful serie of narratives, poems and photos, capturing the core of what it’s like to volunteer at OTGI through every day stories from our team.
As a reminder, we are organizing a fundraising walk this Saturday. To read Anna's article, and to donate to the fundraiser, please follow the link in bio!

Nuestra voluntaria Anna, de Bélgica, que ha estado con nosotros durante 2 meses, ha creado una colección de momentos impactantes y recuerdos de los actuales voluntarios internacionales y locales de OTGI. Una hermosa serie de narraciones, poemas y fotos, capturando la esencia de lo que es ser voluntario en OTGI a través de historias cotidianas de nuestro equipo.
Como recordatorio, estamos organizando una caminata para recaudar fondos este sábado. ¡Para leer el artículo de Anna, y para donar a la recaudación de fondos, por favor siga el enlace en bio!

#fundraiser #volunteer #supportvenezuelans #supportrefugees #volunteersarticle #nonprofit #volunteerstories #supportagoodcause

In this busy start of the year, with high numbers

In this busy start of the year, with high numbers of caminantes on the road everyday, our volunteers are organizing a new fundraising walk from Pamplona to La Laguna to raise money for them. To read more about our activities and new projects, and to donate, please follow the link in bio.

En este intenso comienzo de año, con muchos caminantes en la carretera todos los días, nuestros voluntarios están organizando una nueva caminata de Pamplona hasta La Laguna para recaudar fondos para ellos. Para leer más sobre nuestras actividades y nuevos proyectos, y para hacer donaciones, sigue el enlace en la bio.

#fundraiser #fundraisingwalk #venezuelanrefugees #supportrefugees #supportvenezuelans #venezuelansincolombia #walkforacause #nonprofit #raisemoneyforrefugees #donate #venezuelancrisis

Team introduction 🙂 Michael is in charge of our

Team introduction 🙂

Michael is in charge of our English teaching programs, managing the medical supplies and clinic training. He also assists with volunteer orientations and finance. Dalynn manages the finance, the shelter’s inventories and groceries purchase lists.

Michael is from Oregon and studies theology and philosophy. In his free time he likes to play guitar, go hiking and cook. Dalynn is from Washington and studies marine biology, she loves swimming and scubadiving.

They are both taking a year off university to intern with us, allowing them to learn in a new culture and environment while working closely with our coordinators and giving their precious contribution to our organization.

Michael está a cargo de nuestros programas de enseñanza de inglés, la gestión de los suministros médicos y la formación clínica. También ayuda con las orientaciones de los voluntarios y las finanzas. Dalynn gestiona las finanzas, los inventarios y las listas de compras para los refugios.

Michael es de Oregón y estudia teología y filosofía. En su tiempo libre le gusta tocar la guitarra, hacer senderismo y cocinar. Dalynn es de Washington, estudia biología marina y le encanta nadar y bucear.

Ambos se están tomando un año libre de la universidad para hacer prácticas con nosotros, lo que les permitirá aprender en una cultura y un entorno nuevos mientras trabajan en estrecha colaboración con nuestros coordinadores y aportan su valiosa contribución a nuestra organización.

#volunteering #nonprofit #supportrefugees #supportvenezuelans #pamplonacolombia #nonprofitorganization #helprefugees

We can proudly announce that Darwin, Annelise, and

We can proudly announce that Darwin, Annelise, and Annely passed their entry exams to get into school!! Thanks to all the volunteers, coordinators and interns who played their part through many hours of class preparation and teaching : Stella, Loanna, Michael, Simone, Sean, Natalia, Mery, Oliver, Lilly and others. Thanks for helping them get to the point where they could take the exam and have the confidence to take a chance at getting an education 🙂
This has been a long term dream for us to get these kids into school!

Podemos anunciar con orgullo que Darwin, Annelise y Annely han aprobado los exámenes de acceso a la escuela. Gracias a todos los voluntarios, coordinadores y becarios que desempeñaron su papel durante muchas horas de preparación y enseñanza: Stella, Loanna, Michael, Simone, Sean, Natalia, Mery, Oliver, Lilly y otros. Gracias por ayudarles a llegar al punto en el que podían presentarse al examen y tener la confianza para arriesgarse a conseguir una educación 🙂
Llevar a estos niños a la escuela ha sido nuestro sueño desde hace mucho tiempo.

#venezuelans #enteringschool #volunteering #nonprofit #venezuelanchildren #venezuelansincolombia #supportrefugees #supportvenezuelans #childrenarethefuture

Last month some of our volunteers cleared the path

Last month some of our volunteers cleared the path to the river behind our shelter Esperanza Hoy, which was full of weeds, branches and trash. They wanted to make it easily accessible for the staff and for the caminantes.
This shelter is located in Bochalema on the way to Cucúta and OTGI started it last April.
The cook Carmen on the photo and the others staff, as well as our international volunteers who also stay overnight at the shelter, have been taking more advantage of the peaceful scenery there, even in this very busy beginning of the year.

El mes pasado algunos de nuestros increíble voluntarios limpiaron el camino que lleva al río por detrás de nuestro refugio Esperanza Hoy, que estaba lleno de maleza, ramas y basura. Querían facilitar el acceso al río al personal y a los caminantes.
El refugio es en Bochalema, en la ruta de Cucúta, y lo empezamos en abril 2022.
La cocinera Carmen en la foto y el resto del personal, así como nuestros voluntarios internacionales que también se quedan por la noche en el refugio, han estado aprovechando más el apacible paisaje de allí, incluso en este comienzo de año tan occupado.

#nonprofitorganization
#venezuelanmigrants #refugeeshelters #bochalema #colombia #venezuelans #volunteers #volunteeringincolombia #venezuelansincolombia #supportrefugees #supportvenezuelans

Since three months now, we support Douglas' shelte

Since three months now, we support Douglas' shelter again, sending volunteers every week to help out in cleaning and other repair tasks. Douglas’ house is the first one when entering Pamplona, on the road coming from Cúcuta and the Venezuelan border. Back in 2018, he started to have caminantes knocking at his door and welcomed more and more of them, until his house was packed every night and he decided to build a shelter to be able to accomodate as many of them as possible. He built rooms out of wood and recycled materials, on the mountain slope next to his house. OTGI already worked with him back in 2019, until the pandemic hit and the shelter’s activities quiet down. It started slowly running again since and there is plenty of work to do. To read the full article about the story of Douglas and his shelter, follow the link in bio.

Desde octubre, apoyamos de nuevo el refugio de Douglas, enviando voluntarios cada semana para ayudar en la limpieza y otras tareas de reparación. La casa de Douglas es la primera al entrar en Pamplona, en la carretera que viene de Cúcuta y la frontera con Venezuela. Allá por 2018, empezó a tener caminantes llamando a su puerta y cada vez acogía a más, hasta que su casa se llenaba todas las noches y decidió construir un refugio para poder acoger al mayor número posible. Construyó un refugio con madera y materiales reciclados, en la ladera de la montaña junto a su casa. La OTGI ya trabajó con él en 2019, hasta que llegó la pandemia y las actividades del refugio se calmaron. Desde entonces ha vuelto a funcionar lentamente. Para leer el artículo completo sobre la historia de Douglas y su refugio, sigue el enlace en bio.

#refugeesupport #Venezuelanrefugees #migration #refugeeshelter #colombia #venezuelansincolombia #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganization #supportvenezuelans #pamplonacolombia

Team Introduction 🙂 Loanna, on the left, is the

Team Introduction 🙂

Loanna, on the left, is the one who makes sure all of our projects and partnerships run smoothly, both with the shelters and with the community. She is also very involved in teaching projects, preparing vulnerable children to access school. When she is not working, she loves dancing and spending quality time with her pets.

Elodie, on the right, is the one who replies to your volunteer applications, does orientation for new volunteers and organize the schedule of the week. She is also in charge of mobile aid supplies, social media management, organizing language exchange with the community... And in her free time, of being the local hiking expert.

Loanna is from Pamplona and graduated from her masters in psychology, Elodie is from France and graduated in humanitarian work and migration. Both of them were volunteers for a few months before committing to the job at OTGI and are passionate about the cause.

Loanna es quien se asegura de que todos nuestros proyectos y asociaciones funcionen sin problemas, tanto con los centros de acogida como con la comunidad local. También está muy implicada en proyectos de enseñanza, preparando a niños vulnerables para entrar a la escuela. En su tiempo libero le gusta mucho bailar y pasar tiempo con su mascotas.

Elodie es la persona que responde a las aplicaciones de voluntarios, hace la orientación de los nuevos voluntarios y organiza el programa de la semana. También se encarga de los suministros de ayuda móvil, de la gestión de las redes sociales, de organizar el intercambio de idiomas con la comunidad... Y en su tiempo libre, de ser la experta local de las caminatas en la montaña.

Loanna es de Pamplona y graduada en psicología, Elodie es de Francia y graduada en trabajo humanitario y migraciones. Ambas fueron voluntarias durante unos meses antes de comprometerse con el trabajo en OTGI y le apasiona el tema.

#nonprofit #supportrefugees #teamintroduction #coordinators #workingwithrefugees #supportvenezuelans #pamplonacolombia

Merry Christmas from all of us, volunteers and coo

Merry Christmas from all of us, volunteers and coordinators here at OTGI! We wish you happy holidays from sunny Pamplona, and thank you for supporting our work with Venezulan refugees all year round.

¡Feliz Navidad de parte de todos nosotros, voluntarios y coordinadores aquí en OTGI! Les deseamos felices fiestas y gracias por ayudar y apoyar nuestro trabajo con los refugiados venezolanos todo el año.

#volunteers #nonprofit #volunteering #nonprofitorganisation #ngo #volunteerwork #supportrefugees #colombia #pamplona #venezuelanrefugees

We were very sad to say goodbye to our long term v

We were very sad to say goodbye to our long term volunteer, Grant, from New Zealand, who spent two months with us. He wrote about his experience:

"My two primary reasons for coming were to improve my Spanish and to get back in the field working with beneficiaries, which had not been the case on previous humanitarian projects where I had been stuck in an office many miles from the work. In both of these focus areas in Pamplona I was successful. My Spanish was given endless real world practice opportunities with people of all walks of life, and I loved the connections with the Colombians and Venezuelans in Pamplona and the surrounding area. The food, the festivals, the activities, the events, what an incredible town that is so full of life. And of course the countless football games with the whole community on Saturdays! The crew at Vanessa’s shelter, Lilianna's (Christo Rey), Esperanza and La Laguna's shelter, Pedro (Malo) and all others, what a superb, hard working and loving group. I shall return when I next can, to help keep this good thing going, as we are so fortunate to be able to do. What I was also able to take from this experience was some clarity of my future, whereby even if this is back at home, I want to continue to serve the more disadvantaged communities including the refugees that have made the journey along way from home, who we know will continue to need our support as they setup their new lives."

#volunteering #refugees #refugeesupport #venezuelanrefugees #volunteers #nonprofit #volunteerportrait #colombia #supportrefugees

Anely, Annelys and Darwin are three Venezuelan sib

Anely, Annelys and Darwin are three Venezuelan siblings living in Pamplona. Their family does not have the necessary economic resources to send them to school and pay for their uniforms, school supplies and other expenses.
Children are among the most affected by the crisis in Venezuela. Since September, our organization supports Anely, Annelys and Darwin through classes prepared by the volunteers and coordinators.

Our volunteers teach them every morning on Monday through Friday including all the main subjects such as Spanish, English, social sciences and mathematics. The goal is for the children to gain the necessary knowledge and basis to take the entrance test to school and get access to a quality education. We collaborate with the Dharma fundation, where the classes take place, in the Christo Rey neighborhood where the children live. We are hoping to contribute to giving them a better future and we are very grateful for our volunteers and the impactful work they have been doing.

Los niños están entre los más afectados por la crisis en Venezuela. Anely, Annelys y Darwin son tres hermanos que viven en Pamplona con su familia, que no dispone de los recursos económicos necesarios para enviarlos a la escuela y pagar sus uniformes, material escolar y otros gastos.
Desde septiembre, nuestra organización apoya a Anely, Annelys y Darwin a través de clases diseñadas por los voluntarios y coordinadores.

Les enseñamos de lunes a viernes todas las asignaturas principales, como español, inglés, ciencias sociales y matemáticas. El objetivo es que los niños adquieran los conocimientos y las bases necesarias para presentarse al examen de ingreso y acceder a una educación de calidad. Trabajamos con la fundación Dharma donde hacemos las clases, en el barrio de Christo Rey, donde viven los niños. Esperamos contribuir a darles un futuro mejor y estamos muy agradecidos a nuestros voluntarios y a la impactante labor que vienen realizando.

#venezuelanchildren #refugeechildren #venezuelans #educationforall #dharmafundacion #education #pamplonacolombia #betterfutureforchildren #venezuelansincolombia #nonprofit #supportrefugees

#Fundraiser While many Venezuelans pass through Va

#Fundraiser While many Venezuelans pass through Vanessa’s shelter each day, for a few of them who work or live there, the shelter is home. Recently one of the young boys living there, Miguel, has been in agony. A trip to the dentist revealed he needs emergency dental work to take four teeth out and prevent further infections to other teeth. The procedure is around $100. Unfortunately, he is a minor with no money to pay for this. According to dentists in Pamplona this problem is worryingly common among the Venezuelan community here. We are fundraising so he can get the treatment he urgently needs. Any additional money raised will be used for other youngsters in Pamplona who desperately need dental treatment. To donate or for more information, follow the link in bio.

A pesar de que haya muchos venezolanos que pasan por el albergue Vanessa cada día, para unos de ellos que trabajan o viven allá como Miguel, el albergue es un hogar. Recientemente una de ellos ha sufrido un dolor severo. Un visitado al dentista reveló que necesitaba tratamiento dental urgente para sacar cuatro muelas y prevenir más problemas. El tratamiento vale $100. Desafortunadamente él es un joven sin los recursos para pagarlo. Según los dentistas en Pamplona, este problema es muy común en la comunidad venezolana aquí. Estamos recolectando dinero para que pueda acceder al tratamiento que el necesita. Algún dinero adicional, usaremos para otros jóvenes en Pamplona que requieren trabajo dental urgente. Para donar o más información, siga el enlace en la bio.

#fundraisingcampaign #venezuelanrefugees #refugeeshelter #nonprofit #venezuelansincolombia #refugeeswelcome #venezuelans #supportvenezuelans #supportrefugees #youngrefugees #medicalcare #refugees

OTGI has worked closely with the Dharma foundation

OTGI has worked closely with the Dharma foundation in Pamplona for many months now, where we help cooking meals for Colombian and Venezuelan children alike, help those who can't attend school not fall behind, those who can with homeworks, and assist its founder Liliana with many other activities. A few weeks ago, our volunteers spent the day educating the kids at the foundation about the environment and the importance of taking care of and protecting it, as well as ways through which this can be achieved. The goal is to encourage the children to be more mindful of their environment through small gestures in daily life, such as not throwing rubbish in the street, using the correct bin to recycle ♻️ their rubbish, not to waste water etc. We also plan to continue through more activities on this theme on a long term basis.

OTGI ha trabajado de forma cercana con la fundación Dharma en Pamplona por ya varios meses, donde ayudamos a cocinar comidas para niños tanto colombianos como venezolanos, ayudamos a aquellos que no pueden asistir a la escuela no atrasarse en sus estudios, a aquellos que sí asisten con sus tareas, y me asistimos a su fundadora Liliana con muchas demás actividades. Hace dos semanas, nuestros voluntarios pasaron el día educando a los niños de la fundación sobre el medio ambiente y la importancia de su cuidado y protección, así como formas mediante las cuales esto puede ser alcanzado. El objetivo es sensibilizar a los niños y adolescentes para de esta manera, construir en ellos una conciencia ambiental que permita contrarrestar los daños generados al planeta tierra. Desde actividades psico-pedagógicas en la cuales de darán conocer temas como: el manejó de residuos, la reutilización, el reciclaje y las buenas prácticas para aprovechamiento oportuno del agua. Generando así un impacto a corto, mediano y largo plazo.

#nonprofit #environment #environmentalawareness #venezuelanrefugees #vulnerablechildren
#climatechange #venezuelanchildren #colombianchildren #colombia

The Venezuelan crisis continues to be one of, if n

The Venezuelan crisis continues to be one of, if not the most overlooked humanitarian crisis in the world, and it is also the main focus of our work at OTGI. Brodie Hopkins of @collect.the.world has made a wonderful documentary about what we do and his experience spending some time with us, our founder, the different projects we support and run, as well as context to the Venezuelan crisis and moving interactions and experiences shared with its victims. This in addition to many more touching photographs like the ones seen above. Follow the link to the website in bio to see the full video.

La crisis venezolana continúa siendo una de, sino la más ignorada crisis humanitaria del mundo, y es también el enfoque principal del trabajo realizado por in the ground international. Brodie Hopkins de @collect.the.world ha hecho un maravilloso video sobre su experiencia pasando unos días con nosotros, nuestra fundadora, los proyectos que apoyamos y dirigimos, así como conecto de la crisis venezolana y emotivas interacciones y experiencias compartidas con sus víctimas.Estoy en adición a muchas más conmovedora fotografías como las que se pueden ver arriba. Dirijite al link en bio para ver el video completo.

#venezuelanmigrants #venezuelansincolombia #nonprofit #venezuelanrefugees #documentary #onthegroundinternational #venezuelans #humanitarianwork #colombia #pamplona

Today we want to share the story of a Venezuelan f

Today we want to share the story of a Venezuelan family with whom OTGI has been working for a long time. Since last April, we even started language exchange every Sunday at their restaurant. Unfortunately, two weeks ago, Reiner and María had to close down due to dangerous rain damages in the courtyard of their restaurant.
They have found a new place for their restaurant but lack the funds at the moment. We made a campaign to support the project, all the money will go directly to them in this objective.
To donate or to read the article about their story, please follow the link in bio.

Hoy queremos compartir la historia de una familia venezolana con la que el OTGI lleva mucho tiempo trabajando. Desde el pasado mes de abril, incluso iniciamos el intercambio de idiomas todos los domingos en su restaurante. Tristamente, hace dos semanas, Reiner y María tuvieron que cerrar debido a los peligrosos daños causados por la lluvia en el patio de su restaurante.
Han encontrado un nuevo lugar para su restaurante, pero por el momento carecen de fondos. Hemos hecho una campaña para apoyarles en este objetivo. Todo el dinero irá directamente a ellos para su nuevo restaurante.
Para donar o saber más sobre su historia, sigue el link en bio.

#venezuela #colombia #migrantstory #refugeestory #venezuelanmigrants #rootsrestaurant #nonprofit #fundraising #supportrefugees #ontheground #venezuelansincolombia #supportvenezuelans

We are sad to say goodbye to Lucy, our volunteers

We are sad to say goodbye to Lucy, our volunteers and logistics coordinator for the past months. Lucy is 25 and from the UK, she studied Humanitarian, Aid and Conflict at SOAS. She has put great effort and hard work into the organisation, always with a smile on her face. Thank you Lucy for your engagement with the Venezuelan migrants.
We will miss you a lot here!

Nos entristece decir adiós a Lucy, nuestra coordinadora de voluntarios y logística de los últimos meses. Lucy tiene 25 años y es de Ingliterra, estudió Humanitaria, Ayuda y Conflictos en SOAS. Ha puesto un gran esfuerzo y trabajo en la organización, siempre con una sonrisa en la cara.
Gracias Lucy por tu compromiso. ¡Te echaremos mucho de menos aquí!

#volunteers #nonprofit #colombia #helprefugees #otgi #humanitarian #team #organization #venezuelanrefugees #humanitarianaid #introducingteam

We would like to thank everyone who already donate

We would like to thank everyone who already donated. It is still possible to contribute to our fundraiser via the link in bio!
3 weeks ago our team walked on the caminantes' route from Pamplona to our shelter in La Laguna to raise money for the Venezuelans in Colombia. All the money will go directly to the shelters we support, mobile aid and community projects.
🇨🇴❤️🇻🇪

#fundraisingwalk #refugees #venezuelanmigrants #colombia #walkforacause #venezuelanrefugees #venezuelans #venezuela #venezuelansincolombia #fundraiser #venezolanos #raisemoneyforrefugees

We did it! Yesterday our team walked 35km between

We did it! Yesterday our team walked 35km between Pamplona and the shelter of La Laguna. Exhausted, but proud of us! 💪

Thanks to all the people who already donated for our fundraiser to support the Venezuelans in need in Colombia. If you would like to donate or learn more please follow the link in bio.

#fundraisingwalk #refugees #colombia #venezuela #supportrefugees #supportvenezuelans #venezuelanmigrants #fundraiser #caminantes #fundraising #nonprofit #venezuelanrefugees

Please support us raising money for Venezuelan cam

Please support us raising money for Venezuelan caminantes in Colombia. A little goes a long way.
All money donated will go directly to the cause. To find out more or donate, please go to the link in bio.
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#caminantes #Venezuela #Colombia #refugees #migrants #journey #Venezuelanmigrants #support #shelters #food #walk #fundraise #donations #fundraisingwalk

Are you learning to speak English or French? Every

Are you learning to speak English or French? Every Sunday at Roots Cafe in Pamplona OTGI meets with locals who are learning these languages. It is a great way to get to know the community and not only have an exchange of languages, but also of cultures. Come along next Sunday to see for yourself!

Aprendiendo inglés o francés? Cada domingo estamos en Café Roots con los locales de Pamplona quien están aprendiendo idiomas. Es buena para conocer la comunidad y tener un intercambio de las idiomas y culturas. Venga el domingo próximo para ver por sí mismo!
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#language #exchange #languagelearning #culture #culturalexchange #venezuela #colombia #pamplona #otgi #organization #helpothers #conversation

One of our previous volunteers, Elodie, has writte

One of our previous volunteers, Elodie, has written an article to explain the relationship between Venezuela and Colombia. Have a read to find out why Colombian policy towards Venezuelan immigrants is so welcoming. Find the article via the link in our bio.
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#venezuela #helpforrefugees #colombia #refugees #refugiados #refugios #shelter #relationships #support #policy #welcome #caminante #supportvenezuela #venezuela🇻🇪 #colombia🇨🇴

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