QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF ST. VIATOR VOLUME 7, NUMBER 1
Summer 2002
Signs, of Ljfe in Colombia - Cole.gio Luis Querbes "Let t he Little Children Come Unto Me" 路
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路"'"'"m of St. Viator, founded by Fr. Luis Querbes is "Let the Little Children Come to Me". It seems only appropriate that the newest Province educational venture, a preschool, kindergarten and eventually a transition school, should be named "Colegio Luis Querbes". The program first began as a social outreach project at Colegio San Viator, Bogota, Colombia, to provide secondary school students with social services experiences among poor Colombians as part of their Christian commitment and faith development. Professor Patricia Ramos and Alberto Pena, encouraged by Fr. Albeyro Vanegas, CSV, searched for a location where Mass could be said and where community support activities could be offered to the neighborhood . The area pastor welcomed their presence. In February, 1996, an abandoned warehouse was located, rehabbed and initial activities began: offering children and young adults of the district a library service and the necessary help in their school work; tutoring for adults, recreation for children, catechism of First Communion and Confirmation, and creation of a
youth group for the people of the district. The purpose of the project was to detect leaders that, in the future, could assume commitment within the community. The great need that emerged was the care of pre-school age children (ages 3-6) who were often children of single working mothers; a neglected group. In 1998, Colegio Luis Querbes was opened, using a core of twelve neighborhood women, including a volunteer coordinator, one hired teacher, many Colegio of San Viator volunteers and Brother Fredy Santos,
Fr. Bolser and Br. Leo visit children at Colegio Luis Querbes.
CSV. Fr. Venegas approached Dr. Oscar Javier Rodriguez, Director of Health Services for "El Verbenal" District who arranged free health and dental services for the people of Canaima. Colegio Luis Querbes opens at 7:00-1:00 everyday for pre-school and again from 2:00-9 :00pm for community use and adult programs. Saturday evenings, the assembly hall is converted into a chapel for the 6:00pm neighborhood
(Mark 10:14) Mass. 48 students are registered this year. Tuition, for those who can pay, is $60 per year. The School is seeking donors to underwrite pre-school scholarships.
Colegio Children at work.
The Viatorians have discovered many of those 48 children will come without breakfast and will have no lunch at home. The Colegio is negotiating a modest feeding program for next year at $2.00/day per child or $100/day would provide a light breakfast and a rice-potato-meat luncheon for all the children. In the 6 years since it's founding, Colegio Luis Querbes has served more than 300 children of the Canaima area. The Viatorians, faculty, staff and students are committed to these "little ones". They are committing to expand to serve older youth, unemployed adults and third age citizens of Canaima. Please pray and watch for their progress. Your prayers and support will help guarantee their success.