Opening the Doors of opportunities to under privileged & orphaned girls in Colombia

The Santa Maria Foundation (SMF) is a registered charity in the UK and Colombia, dedicated to empowering abandoned, orphaned, vulnerable, and at-risk girls in Colombia to reach their full potential.

At our organization, our primary objective is to empower these young girls by providing them with access to education and fostering the development of essential life skills and self-confidence in a secure and nurturing environment. We firmly believe in offering them opportunities for a brighter future that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Through this approach, we aim to restore their confidence and self-esteem, while also laying a solid foundation for them to realize their full potential.

Since our establishment in 2009, Santa Maria has firmly believed in the inherent potential of every child to flourish in society. We provide a platform for young girls to develop academically and personally, transforming them into aspiring and influential adults. Through our comprehensive programs, we empower these girls to become skilled, healthy, safe, and confident individuals.

By providing access to education, including traditional subjects as well as arts, music, and English, we equip these girls with the necessary tools for success. Research has proven that music education enhances brain development and learning abilities in all areas, making it an essential component of our holistic approach.

Colombia, a nation plagued by poverty, natural disasters, and conflict, has faced a significant orphan crisis. The country has been embroiled in a 40-year civil war, exacerbated by the drug trade, leading to widespread violence, exploitation, and homelessness among children. Girls, especially orphaned girls, are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. With approximately 18 million children making up 40% of the country's population, Colombia's most vulnerable sections of society, including young children and adolescents, are not spared from the armed conflict. Currently, around 11,000 child soldiers are actively involved in the internal conflict, facing grave dangers such as assassinations, landmines, mutilation, sexual abuse, and kidnapping.


In Colombia, there are approximately 820,000 orphaned children under the age of seventeen, many of whom grow up without a family. These children are highly susceptible to recruitment by sex traffickers and street gangs, leading to drug abuse, violence, and a bleak future.

To further our mission, we are currently seeking funding to support the employment of eight teachers over the next three years. This will provide up to 120 girls in Colombia and South America, starting from the age of four, with a fresh start in life after the traumas they have endured. The experience of being orphaned or abandoned at a young age can lead to long-term emotional challenges, hindering learning abilities. This is particularly true for those who are separated from responsible family members, lacking role models.