Pioneering Gringo Helps 100's of Families in Medellin

[LastLion]

Excelent article. I think someone posted about this guy before.

Here is the link to see pics: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-...y-himself.html

U.S. citizen Mark Kaseman first arrived in Colombia in 2004. Captivated, he returned two years later, and a chance encounter with a missionary couple brought him to Medellín where he has been working since pioneering his own charity project in one of the cities most impoverished barrios. With the missionary group, Kaseman ventured up into the city’s poorest areas where he was confronted by desperate poverty and thousands of people living high on the valley slopes, banished to the fringes of society and ignored by authorities embarrassed by their presence. Kaseman fell in love with the struggling families he met and when the missionaries withdrew from the mountain, amid suspicions that paramilitaries controlling the neighbourhood had driven them away, Kaseman stood his ground, making the decision to abandon his life in the U.S. for Medellín and begin his own project – Angeles de Medellín.

The community of 8,000 people lives isolated from the urban centre of Medellín and the town of Bello below them. The majority are families displaced by Colombia’s interminable armed conflict. Homes are built from splintered wood and plastic sheeting, while the streets are carved from mud. With only two buses connecting the neighbourhood to the world below it, there is no infrastructure and, according to Kaseman, the secluded community receives no support from the city authorities. Kaseman, ambitious, devoted and impressively energetic, is clearly adored by locals – “they call me Padre de la Montaña”. Largely alone, though aided by donations from family and friends, Kaseman has established a thriving school called Leon 13, which currently has 280 students. He noted that the drop-out rate is surprisingly low, “those who come to school tend to stay,” while the primary issue is pregnancy among young girls – five students under the age of 15 fell pregnant this year.

As we wandered through ramshackle streets a stream of children flung themselves into Kaseman’s arms, while he pointed out that many see him as their saviour, “I am not, I cannot be,” he sighed. The heavy burden he bears is clear to see, but he intends to persevere regardless, “as long as I don’t die, I’m happy.” In October 2006, paramilitary gang members resentful of Kaseman’s achievements and popularity with the locals threatened that “if Marcos ever comes up here again, we’ll kill him.” Refusing to desert his project and people, Kaseman went up the next day and confronted the paramilitaries. He described looking into the leader’s faces and stating “if you ever see me do a single thing wrong here, you can kill me.” The majority of the community welcome him, but it is an colossal task to take on so many desperate people, and Kaseman always tries to support the poorest first and foremost. Bitterness and jealousy invariably arise and in a country where life is tragically cheap, Kaseman seems aware that his work could at any point cost him his life.

On December 19 Kaseman is throwing a Christmas party at the school. He has a list of the worst-off families for whom he will be providing food and modest gifts – every time he visits the mountain he cannot help but add more names to that list. Kaseman is expecting over 700 people to attend the party, and many more will be sorry they did not make his list. With limited funds there simply is not room for everyone. It is clear that Kaseman’s mission is a labour of love. “This is my family away from my family.” He puts it down to his desire to show these people - above all the children - that the world is bursting with opportunity; “they have got to dream.” Kaseman says that he enjoys bringing foreigners to meet his adopted community as he hopes it will be inspirational for both parties. Kaseman has aspirations to make Angeles de Medellín into a foundation but expenses and bureaucracy have so far impeded him. For now he is happy to do it alone, “I am an honest man ... like this I do not have to answer to anyone.” Without the middle-men involved in a foundation Kaseman says that every penny of money donated goes directly to those who need it. The project is ever-growing and achieving exceptional results. The dedication and enthusiasm radiating from Kaseman is moving; “every day I wake up excited ... I have no regrets.” To witness a person so dedicated to the welfare of others restores a little faith in the power of the human spirit.

Colombia Reports supports Mark and his Angeles de Medellin project and ask you to do the same.

Please look how you can be of help.

[Gringos]

Excellent story about someone making a huge difference in his local community.

My only question is why can't more Americans in Medellin ( living there full-time ) help and contribute their time to good causes, helping the less fortunate and making a viable difference in their local communities of Colombia? We have at least three posting members living in Medellin full-time and I rarely read anything from them about ' Giving Back '.

Great story...

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Two Gringos

Excellent story about someone making a huge difference in his local community.

My only question is why can't more Americans in Medellin ( living there full-time ) help and contribute their time to good causes, helping the less fortunate and making a viable difference in their local communities of Colombia? We have at least three posting members living in Medellin full-time and I rarely read anything from them about ' Giving Back '.

Great story...

Tiss the season that is for sure. I was just reading an article about shakira and her project Barefoot Foundation.. If you have ever stepped foot in Barranquilla you might know there is a plaza near with a statue of her. I asked some friends in BAQ about her they said she has really done a lot for her home town..

Since you mentioned it Ray, is there something we can do as a forum to maybe send a little cash the way of this gentleman in medellin. I know times are tough, for most of us, but maybe a small christmas drive and if anyone is heading to med, we can maybe pack a suitcase full of stuff for the kids? Not sure if anyone is up for that, but I always found that for every buck I donated or time I donated to a project, it was given back to me 10-fold ..

Any takers? Or better said givers? Can someone in Medellin contact this man?

[Gringos]

To Mark Kaseman or anyone SOTB that has a serious interest in helping less fortunate. Send us your Non-Profit Charity Banner linked to your cause or .org website: Banner placement free of charge.

Fyi: Fund Drives are good ideas but people won't donate.

* The only effective way to help is each guy must help in his own way. Helping directly on the ground exactly like Mark Kaseman is doing.

Our Advice: Board members living full-time SOTB have an obligation, not only as an American, but to your community and to yourself to give back. And not yearly, but monthly. Seek out a small Pueblo where school supplies are needed, or perhaps you know families barely making ends meat. Sponsor a junior league Futboll team. There is no limit in helping. However, do your homework and don't advertise to the world you are Peter Pan. Do it right and plan it out. Work under the radar. And if you have a .org website, don't post pictures or information about yourself because we have two words lacking in today's society: 1. Humbleness 2. Modestness. Sponsor a BMX Racer or BMX Freestyler. We have a handful opportunities in the US. In the US, if a kid works hard enough he can make a living at Bicycle Motocross. In Panama, CR, Colombia or Brazil that same kid can barely afford a BMX Bike. Google you interest in the country you live and let your imagination run wild.

Bottom Line: Help a young man who has zero options achieve his dreams.

Official Website BMX Colombia: www.bmx-colombia.com/

[aviator68]

I really hate to be distrusting, but I have learned that here. For me, I have a personal toy drive each christmas and also feed over 100 folks on the 24th. Not saying this to bring attention to me. I have never noted this publicly before. But, I would hope we all help our adopted country.... joe

[Gringos]

BMX Racing or Trick Riding/Freestyle is one of the best sports for young athletes because you must be 100% responsible for yourself. It's not a team sport therefore it teaches self motivation and self discipline. Get involved with your local BMX Track SOTB, be apart of a postive environment and help kids learn about life.

Official Website Brazil BMX: www.cbbx.com.br

Official Website Sao Paulo (Brazil) BMX: www.fpbx.com.br

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by LastLion;

Excelent article. I think someone posted about this guy before.

Yes, nice to see some well deserved press for the "Angels of Medellin" and Mark's continued faithful work with the families there.

Has it been a couple years since this was mentioned on GT? My, time does fly.

For those interested I reported about Mark's work at http://www.gringos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6320

I still believe that every dollar donated to this charity will go to help those needy people. Colombia reports does too:

http://colombiareports.com/crs-xmas-action.html