CHENEY SCHOOL, CHENEY LANE, OXFORD, OX3 7QH
Colombia Earthquake Appeal
In a letter to his fellow Coaches Franky says:
"As you may be aware, on Monday Western Colombia was hit with a 7.4 Earthquake. I thank those who have reached out to see if my family is OK.
Thankfully they are, with some damage to properties, but, that can all be fixed.
My family in Colombia have founded a couple of Foundations to help children and the old and frail.
Sadly the Foundation in Pereira was hit hard and needs huge repairs.
Please read the appeal below."
HELP US REBUILD THEIR HOME
On Monday 10 August 2026, a devastating earthquake struck western Colombia. For many families, life changed in a matter of seconds.
Buildings collapsed. Homes were destroyed. People were displaced. And in Pereira, Fundación Nuestro Hogar (NIT 800127958) — a home that has protected vulnerable girls for 40 years — was badly damaged.
But thankfully, our girls are safe.
Fundación Nuestro Hogar was founded by Maria Cecilia Marulanda some 40 years ago to provide a safe and loving home for girls who have suffered abandonment, neglect, mistreatment or abuse.
Today, almost 50 girls live under its care — from a baby just two months old to girls of 15.
Hundreds of children have passed through its doors over the years. Many have found loving adoptive families. Others have grown up at the Foundation, received an education, learnt a profession and gone on to build independent lives of their own.
THIS IS MORE THAN A BUILDING. IT IS THEIR HOME.
It is the place where frightened children have learnt to feel safe again.
It is where they sleep, study, play, laugh and begin to believe that their future can be different from their past.
AND NOW THEIR HOME NEEDS OUR HELP.
The earthquake has caused serious damage to the Foundation. Part of the roof has collapsed. There is currently no electricity or running water, and the girls have had to be evacuated to an emergency site belonging to the nuns, where they can remain safe while aftershocks continue.
For some of these children, having already experienced so much in their young lives, the earthquake has understandably been frightening and traumatic.
Yet something wonderful has happened.
The incredible people caring for them have managed to turn the evacuation into an adventure. The younger girls now think they are on a little trip.
They are smiling again.
Now we need to give them their home back.
We are raising funds to help rebuild and repair Fundación Nuestro Hogar and, wherever possible, to help people around us in Pereira who have also been affected by this terrible earthquake.
Every contribution matters. £1, £2, £5, £10, £20.
What may seem like a small amount elsewhere can make a very real difference here.
If hundreds of us give just a little, together we can achieve something enormous.
Please help us rebuild their home.
If you cannot donate, please share this appeal . One share may reach the person who can make a difference.
Donations
https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundacion-nuestro-hogar-necesita-tu-ayuda-terremoto-colombia
From our family, from everyone at Fundación Nuestro Hogar and, most importantly, from nearly 50 extraordinary little girls:
Thank you.
Franky Marulanda
Factor 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
About the Fundación Nuestro Hogar
