This Twitter hashtag has recently mobilized thousands to rise up via an online campaign against the kidnappings of innocent civilians by the FARC rebels in Colombia. Being referred to as a  “twitertón,” or a telethon on Twitter, organizers of this movement have called upon the masses of Colombia and are hoping to get a million people to Tweet messages speaking out against the FARC and demanding the release of those victims who are kidnapped. Beyond their release, it is ultimately their freedom that is being demanded.

Though we may not have the resources to single-handedly combat the FARC army, it’s important to realize that we do have the power to some extent provide “libertad,” or freedom, to those trapped in the vicious cycle of Colombia’s social injustices. We empower through education.

Education is a powerful tool. The programs we have are specifically tailored to educate our children in a way that is empowering yet fun and opportunity-driven yet realistic. With New Horizons, we give our children a safe haven for learning conducive to growth, self-discovery and, most important of all, hope. With I Am CBOB, we provide the funds necessary for our scholars to attend college and pursue their greatest aspirations.

In a more direct way than one might think, education frees our children. It releases them from mental barriers. It releases them from people who say “no.” It releases them from any fears or animosities that might exist in their community.

Education releases them into a society where dreams are meant to become a reality. It releases them into a community of support and harmony. It releases them into a world of hope and a world of love.

Let us work together in these crucial months to free our children… to release our children beyond borders. #Liberenlos… #Libertad.

In becoming an E-mentor, you act as a role model and guide for a student whose interests parallel your own. Over the course of a year (or more), you work with this student through our own online social network to provide opportunities for career exploration, character development and self-esteem building. You guide the student through the New Horizons coursework, helping him or her to complete an individualized project specific to that student’s aspirations. Most important of all, the relationship you develop with this student is one of mutual support, hope and love.

When the E-mentoring program was first launched as part of New Horizons in the fall of 2010, mentor Luis Garcia and his mentee Jose Martinez shared a bond almost immediately as they both had interest in engineering. “They talked constantly on Skype,” Priya Rudradas, our program manager, said, “and there was always a lot of back and forth collaboration” which is why the program worked so well for them. Now, nearly a year later, Jose is the first in his family to go to college and, with the guidance of Luis, is studying to be an electrical engineer. Even though they are miles apart, Luis and Jose still communicate today and still remain very close.

If you are passionate about helping children, specifically as a mentor and friend, become a part of the E-mentoring program… become a part of the CBOB family. So long as you can commit an hour a week to your mentee, you can make a difference in the life of a youth right from your very own computer. Learn more and add yourself to the equation today.

Updating you from our home at the Santa Fe CIED

Photo courtesy of visitgainesville.com

We here at CBOB always like to keep you in the know. You’re part of our family, and it’s important to us that you know what’s happening within the organization. Here are a few things we’ve been working on these past couple months.

No more than three weeks ago, Colombian President Juan Manual Santos signed what is now called the Victims’ Law. With the implementation of this legislation, the Colombian government has recognized it is partially responsible for the violence that has taken place in the country, and it must rightfully compensate the millions of people who have been affected by this violence.

During the formal signing ceremony, Santos said the government, in the name of society, “is ready to pay a moral debt, a long postponed debt, a debt toward the victims of a violence that must end.”

Certainly, these are words to instill a hope for justice that has long been sought after. However, as the conflict is ongoing and more people are displaced from their homes, some worry that this law will turn out to be another empty promise.

So how do we help? We here at CBOB work with you in the name of the children – in the name of the millions of displaced youth who deserve a proper education, a loving support system and a stable life. Our programs seek to provide exactly these things.

In supporting us, you are supporting the children. By contributing to our New Horizons program, we are able to provide the children in Colombia with year-round vocational teachings, helping them to expand both their technological and entrepreneurial skills. You can become a supporter by donating money to go toward the materials used in the program, or you can even become a mentor, guiding and being a friend to a child throughout his/her time in the program.

With our I am CBOB scholarship program, we work with the graduates of New Horizons (and other university students) to help them attend college. Not only that, but we go one step further and help our scholars grow into leaders of their community – role models and mentors for the children who look up to them. Right now, we have three I am CBOB scholars: Jose, Erick and Yosimar. In becoming their sponsor, you are not only doing good for them but for their community, as well. Your support translates to more than just a financial contribution; it represents encouragement and motivation that these students (and hopefully more to come in the future) have what it takes to lead their communities to solid, peaceful ground.

While we hope that the Colombian government will follow through with the new law in the coming months, we can join forces to make a difference now. We can get involved immediately to make changes for a better world. A hope for justice is on the horizon; let us work together to reach this horizon.

The session started out with a simple question: “Who are we?” In terms of the organization, we were all so quick to say, “CBOB is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2003 that helps children…” As we continued with this generic description, it soon dawned on us that we were not only limiting ourselves but limiting what it means to be a part of this organization. Our Executive Director Angelica Suarez told us to rethink the question: who are we beyond just a noun or a year or mission statement?

Right away, our brainstorming whiteboard became flooded with the colors of endless ideas. “We are passionate; we are humble; we are empowering; we are creative; we are believers.” These were just a few of the many descriptive words we came up with over the course of the next 30 minutes. By the end of the meeting, there was no more room left on the board, even though we were still coming up with more ideas.

Later on that day, our brainstorming got me to consider all the qualities that define me as more than just a human being. Through our own daily interactions, we present ourselves to others, evoking some emotional and sensory response from them, just as a brand is meant to do. These responses are only heightened as we strengthen our best qualities. In identifying our strongest attributes, through self-evaluation and introspection, we come to realize that we are much more than just students or workers or an age.

The next time someone asks you who you are, take a second to reflect on what really makes you the person you are today. My name is Amber Forrest, and I am not just an intern. I am caring, kind, eager, devoted and inspired. In my time with CBOB so far, I have learned to go beyond borders, and I hope to one day take you beyond borders too.

Just two weeks ago, 17 wonderful youth graduated from Phase 1 of our New Horizons program. Within this phase, the students created their own business plans and also learned about valuable life development skills along the way.

This summer instead of walking in someone else’s shoes, walk beside them immersing yourself into their culture and life. Make a difference and embrace a new culture this summer on our Crossing Borders trips to Cali or Medellin. Learn more about our trips at our info session this Wednesday, March 30th at 7:20 in Rinker 210 at the University of Florida. Spots still available.

-CBOB

Do you feel you have the skills and passion to make the world a better place? If so, CBOB wants you! Join our VIP Program.

Our current interns now want to pass this opportunity on to you. We’re looking for interns who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of others and in their own lives today, in order to create a better tomorrow for us all. Our VIP Program gives you a true hands-on experience of the non-profit world. This is not you’re  “administrative duties included” type of internship. This is about being immersed in the process of making a global impact. Learn how intertwined, necessary and powerful communications can be, or learn about the heart and effort it takes to fund-raise for non-profits and their programs, or help us outreach to our communities in Gainesville, the Gator Nation, and over-seas in Colombia, or learn how to create educational tools that will inspire and create confidence in the youth we serve. Our past interns have gone on to Teach For America, to the Peace Corp, to working on Capital Hill. And that’s just a few! The opportunities and the knowledge you’ll gain are endless. Jose, one of our incredible recipients of our “I AM CBOB” scholarship program, said,“All buildings start from the ground.” VIP is that foundation. Be apart of it and help CBOB continue to grow.  To apply for our VIP Program today and find out more, like the requirements and expectations, visit our web site www.chbob.org.