Karen is fourteen years old and was born in Bogota, Colombia on August 30, 1996.  She lives in a low income neighborhood where high rates of sexual violence and cases of early pregnancy are common.

Karen studies 11th grade at an integrated high school, where teen pregnancy is also a problem and the school lacks sexual education classes.  She lives with her father, who works at the Bogota Aqueduct and her mother at a laboratory.  Her sister studies accounting and has an internship position as a bookkeeper at a plastic and wood recycling company.

In February 2010, Karen had the opportunity to start a teen training program through Profamilia, designed for young people at no extra cost like other community centers.  Karen is interested in raising health consciousness within her community and for herself.

The family is experiencing a hard time because her parents separated a year ago, but are still living in the same house.  Her father does not financially support the family and at times there are acts of violence and aggression because of tension around not having enough money to support the family.  It is very difficult for Karen to live in this atmosphere and to witness acts of violence and substance abuse problems in the streets around her house.

In general, the economic situation for Karen is fairly regular with her mother’s income and Karen’s supplemental income from working at a bakery on the weekends.  That said, Karen is interested in keeping herself healthy and very much appreciates your donation on her behalf!

Thanks to your help, Paola, a Colombian woman, could receive a vaccine that protects her against cervical cancer. Paola is from the Colombian coast; she has two daughters and works in a restaurant a cook.  She does not make much money and therefore very much appreciates your donation allowing her to get this vaccine.

Thank you so much for this generous donation.  Paola very appreciates your support!!

Paola is 17 years old and lives in Bogotá, Colombia. She lives with her grandmother, two uncles and their respective families – a total of seven people. Paola comes from a lower-middle class family, has no regular income and does not receive any economic support from her parents.

Paola is very thankful that you are concerned about the welfare of young women and women’s health. She truly appreciates your kindness in donating a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer!

Rupali and Laurent, thank you for your kind donations that supported Paola’s vaccine!

Yesika is 16 years old and lives in Bogotá, Colombia with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Yesika and her family are from a low economic class. She has no income and the entire family depends on the minimal salary of her mother.

Yesika appreciates the opportunity to be able to get this vaccine that, due to her economic circumstance, would have otherwise been impossible for her to receive. She hopes that this service can be extended to other girls because she feels that everybody should have an opportunity to be safe!

Tom, thank you for your support of Profamilia Social!

Carla is 16 years old and lives in Tolima, Colombia with her parents and sister. Carla is from a low economic class and depends on her father’s minimum salary to support their family. Carla is currently in high school, and does not work.

Thanks to your donation, Luka and Ani, Carla is on her way to being safe of cervical cancer! Carla is very thankful for your kindness!

Fernanda has received a complete HPV vaccine against cervical cancer, which kills over 3,000 people in Colombia every year. The vaccine is administered in three doses, and has been shown to be very effective. Without the support of Neil, Fernanda would have been unable to pay for this vaccine.  Thank you Neil for your generous support of Fernanda and Profamilia Social!

Lucia is a mother of two children in Colombia. She comes from a poor family and alone could not afford the $210 for the HPV vaccine. Lucia came to one of the Profamillia IPS clinic because she worried about cervical cancer.

Thanks to Juan, Lucia is receiving the full three course HPV vaccine, which will protect her from the majority of HPV strains and cervical cancers. She is happy that she no longer has to worry about the threat of HPV.