Karen appreciates your support!

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!