Although clothes are a part of providing children a decent life, most parents who come from poor communities are unable meet such a basic necessity as they are forced to choose between giving their children proper clothing or feeding them. Unaware of this issue, most charities ignore this need and families are forced to make ends meet. 

This issue can be clearly felt in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood found in Medellin, a place that has become a sanctuary for families that have been forced to move out of their homes and often travel long distances with nothing but the clothes on their back due to the internal conflict in Colombia. For the most part, the people of this community work informal jobs and are never sure if they will be able to provide for their families. 

To address this commonly ignored issue, Give To Colombia and AeioTU – Fundación Carulla created a program called “The Wardrobe” or “El Ropero” where over 800 items of beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories where organized and sorted for the community. Through this program, parents can “purchase” the clothes for a symbolic prize and the money raised will make “El Ropero” sustainable.  

This program is one of the first to recognize the importance of giving children proper clothes and will hopefully continue serving the families of the Olaya Herrera neighborhood and become a shining example of philanthropy.