After two long years apart, siblings Carlos (9) and Felipe (12) have been joyfully reunited with their family in Venezuela through the A Tu Lado (On Your Side) project.
After arriving in Colombia with their father from Venezuela, they were sadly separated from him, leaving them isolated and vulnerable in a foreign country.
But their lives took a hopeful turn when a compassionate woman took them in.
However, upon enrolling them in school, she learned that their legal status needed formalising. She contacted the relevant authorities who identified Carlos and Felipe as unaccompanied migrant children separated from their family.
Their case was referred to SOS Children’s Villages, and the reunification process was set in motion.
The approach was holistic, focusing on the children’s safety, addressing their health and psychological needs, securing their legal status, and reuniting them with their family.
Finally, their mother, aunt and grandmother were found in Venezuela, and once it was confirmed that they could provide a safe environment, preparations for the reunion began.
Cindy from SOS Children’s Villages Colombia describes their reunion as life-changing: “When the siblings saw their mum, aunt, grandmother, and cousins, their happiness was immense.”
Felipe’s words sum up the deep impact of going home: “Thank you for bringing me back to my family; I will never be alone again.”
Today, Carlos and Felipe have resumed their education, returned to playing football, and are building a future filled with hope.