Dame Refugio

A group of siblings arrived at our doors seeking refuge—rescued from living among trash. Once with us, they were able to study, receive individualized care and proper nutrition, and discover their talents. Their mother also had the opportunity to get her life back on track and work toward reunifying with her children. Read their story here:

Perla, Yerutí, and Juan (names changed for privacy) came from one of the most vulnerable and impoverished areas in the country. Their mother was single and had had them at a very young age. She never had the chance to study and had worked as a collector in the landfills since childhood. There was never enough money to feed the children properly, and their mother often wanted to go out and have fun with her friends. The children were often left for days at a time in different houses, where they wandered and scavenged for food in the trash, living in severe neglect. One day, at the request of concerned neighbors, the courts brought the children to the Children’s Home at Su Refugio. When they arrived, the children were amazed—the place was clean, beautiful, and full of delicious food. They were welcomed by their new caregiver “aunts and uncles,” who became their trusted figures, helping them adjust and providing care in every way. They learned about God’s love, about boundaries, how to live respectfully with others, and important values. They were enrolled in the local school and quickly became excellent students. Meanwhile, their mother gathered her strength, resumed her studies, and began working in other jobs. When she visited them at the Children’s Home, she would tell them how much she missed them and that they would be together again soon. Su Refugio played a vital role for this woman and her children. With its professional team—including a psychologist, social worker, and legal advisor—the organization carefully assessed and supported the children’s biological family to determine whether their mother could once again care for them, and made formal recommendations to the family court overseeing their case. Today, the family is reunited.

A precious little girl arrived at our doors from a background of abuse, neglect, and addiction. She had always been forced to find ways to survive, until one day she came to the Children’s Home, where she finally found the refuge she had longed for. Read her story here:

One day, a beautiful girl named Pacholí (name changed for privacy), under the age of 10, arrived at our doors. Since she was very young, she had lived in a context marked by mistreatment, abuse, and addiction. Her mother was addicted to drugs and would go out into the streets to clean car windshields. She had many boyfriends. Pacholí always had to find ways to survive, going through many difficult and painful experiences. The authorities placed her in the Children’s Home, where she found the safe haven she so desperately needed. At first, it was difficult—she was very mischievous, curious, and would break anything she could find in the play areas. Over time, her caregivers lovingly taught her that she no longer needed to defend herself or destroy things. We soon discovered she didn’t know how to read or write. Our team provided intensive academic support and Pacholí was able to attend school regularly for the first time. She learned to play the violin, grew academically, took English classes, and—most importantly—we shared with her the hope of Jesus. She learned about His love through Bible stories, and that love transformed her outlook on life. With help from our psychologist, she was also able to correct harmful habits. Today, Pacholí is a completely different girl because of what she experienced at Su Refugio. At the same time, our professional team worked diligently to assess her family situation. As a result, a loving family has come forward, ready to give her the care and protection she needs. She is now in the process of being adopted. Soon, she will belong to a safe and permanent home—and the time she spent at Su Refugio truly saved her life.

A teenage girl, a victim of sexual abuse since the age of 10, arrived at our doors seeking refuge. She felt so warmly welcomed by the other girls and the team at the Children’s Home that she was strengthened to try to move forward. Once she did, she began attending school, receiving academic support and learning to play instruments like the violin, guitar, and drums. Read her story here:

Panambi (name changed for privacy) arrived as a teenager when she knocked on the doors of Su Refugio. When she was 10 years old, a man over 35 years old (who was in a relationship, had a little girl, and lived near her house) asked her to be his girlfriend, said sweet things to her, and promised that he would marry her. Panambi began to be a victim of sexual abuse. She told her mother and grandmother, but they didn't believe her and accused her of being a hustler. Panambi ran away from home, and some neighbors filed a complaint. That's when we met her. The other girls and caregivers from the Children’s Home made her feel welcomed and safe. At Su Refugio, she began going to school, received tutoring, and played instruments like the violin, guitar, and drums. She discovered that she really liked music and even used it as a therapeutic tool. In the afternoons, she plays volleyball and soccer, for which she has great talent and skill. Panambi shared that getting to know God and learning how much He loves her and all He has done for her had a powerful impact on her life. She wanted others to know God's love too—and she began sharing the gospel with her peers. She joined a teen discipleship group called “Youth with Purpose,” where they carry out various community service projects. Su Refugio became her home, because here she found everything she needed to move forward. Our professional team always spoke to her with honesty, believed her, never doubted her testimony, and treated her with great respect—something that was completely new for her. At the Children’s Home, Panambi found a true family—one that no longer condemned her, but protected her. She is worthy of refuge, and her future is full of promise.

A survivor of human trafficking, abuse, and poverty came to the Children’s Home. We embraced her with great affection and were ready to accompany her in her recovery process. Jazmín comes from an incredible situation. Read her story here:

We met a survivor named Jazmín (name changed for privacy) who reached us at a tragic moment in her life. She was a teenager who came from a very difficult family. Her mother was sick and addicted, so from a very young age she had to take responsibility for her home with many younger siblings. When her stepfather began to abuse her, she moved in with a neighbor. She trusted her and thought this woman would protect and help her, but over time, she convinced Jazmín to become a prostitute and thus "help her mother and siblings" with money. This woman brought her clients and kept all the money from those encounters while manipulating her. Jazmín was reaching a breaking point. She barely attended school, and the teachers realized something wasn't right. When they asked her what was wrong, she told them the whole truth. It was then that the doors of our Children’s Home were opened for her. She entered with a deeply saddened heart, filled with guilt and shame for everything she had experienced. Thanks to the care and love she received here, her heart and life were transformed. We taught her with all the tools at our disposal that she need not be overcome with shame, and that she was a victim of the people who hurt her and took advantage of her vulnerability. Jazmín knew God's love, the forgiveness of sins, and found restoration. Today, she is a new person thanks to the shelter she received and the support of the team. She is a happy young woman because the Su Refugio staff also helped her bring food and supplies to her mother and siblings, as Jazmín was still very worried about them. God is so good; thanks to the work of the team, a family was found who expressed their desire to adopt Jazmín and give her all the love she hadn't received before. We are witnesses of God's provision for those who need it most.