Francisca*, a Venezuelan mother of three, has lived in the settlement of La Pista in Maicao, Colombia, for three years, navigating the challenges of building a new life for her family in Colombia.
“I am Venezuelan, migrating from Caracas, we came because of my children,” Francisca begins, her words echoing the universal sentiment of parents seeking a better future for their children.
Her family includes her partner and three children – a 13-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old boy.
A journey of love and resilience
Francisca’s decision to embark on this journey was fuelled by her love and a deep-rooted desire for her children’s wellbeing. In Caracas, the struggle for food and the challenges of demanding work led her to migrate with her children.
Every step they took was a venture into the unknown, marked by uncertainty about their future—a narrative familiar to countless families affected by the Venezuelan migration crisis.
Over time, they began weaving a new life.
Love as the guiding light through challenges
In the midst of migration challenges, love became the guiding force for Francisca.
She encountered difficult moments, particularly with her children. It was during a tumultuous period that SOS Children’s Villages social workers provided support and brought a shift to the family’s dynamics.
The Family Strengthening Programme they introduced became a beacon of support, offering guidance on patience, communication, and understanding.
Participating in workshops brought about a positive change in the way Francisca relates to her children and partner. Post-workshop, her children not only want to be with her, but their relationship with their father has strengthened, fostering play and more quality time together.
For Francisca, the key lessons learned revolve around the importance of parental presence, communication, and resolving issues through love rather than violence.
Migrant families: a resilient force
The challenges faced by migrant families are diverse and multifaceted – arriving in a new place, establishing a sense of belonging, navigating work opportunities, and securing basic rights can all be a struggle.
Humanitarian assistance projects aim to strengthen families and communities, emphasising the protection and integration of children, adolescents, and families affected by migration.
Francisca’s story is a testament to the positive impact of these projects.
Francisca says, “I tell families to love each other, to love each other very much, to love their children.
“In the morning, in the afternoon, in the day, and at night, give them a hug, a kiss because children are unique, and family is the most beautiful thing.”
Humanitarian projects in action
In Colombia, organisations like SOS Children’s Villages extend humanitarian assistance to the refugee and migrant population from Venezuela across multiple regions.
From La Guajira to Santander, their efforts have reached approximately 71,000 people between 2020 and 2022. The focus remains on comprehensive protection services, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, pregnant and nursing mothers, and their families at high-risk of separation.
Services include preventing child-family separation, providing family models for unaccompanied or separated children, and reinforcing families and communities through positive parenting and protective environments for children.
The overarching message remains clear: love and family are the cornerstones of resilience in the face of adversity.
*Names changed to protect the privacy of individuals
