We fell in love with the people of Ciudadela Sucre—11 neighborhoods dotting the hills of the city of Soacha outside of Bogota, Colombia on our first trip, back in 2013, as international volunteers with Habitat for Humanity Colombia. In 2019, Habitat for Humanity International closed its Colombia office. Desiring to continue working alongside our friends in Ciudadela Sucre, we formed our own nonprofit—Building Trust Americas. We are registered in the United States as a nonprofit and have tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code.

In 2020, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, your donations helped us provide food packages to more than 3,000 people in Ciudadela Sucre, and in 2021, we started a scholarship program for adult secondary students and financed the construction of one family home. In 2022, we funded the construction of a long stairway that connects two areas of the same neighborhood along a route that was in very poor condition and crime ridden. See photos of the new stairway on our website.

Last year we returned to Ciudadela Sucre where we funded and helped build a cancha, an athletic field used by the neighborhood of San Rafael Alto for soccer matches, basketball games, and community events. Implemented in partnership with TECHO Colombia, the project was completed in April 2024. We also continued funding the scholarship program for adult secondary students thanks to our cooperation with local Catholic community services center San Benito Menni.

Before and after, cancha project in the neighborhood of San Rafael Alto.

This year we are excited to again partner with TECHO Colombia to construct a community center in the Brisas de la Esperanza neighborhood of Ciudadela Sucre. Brisas de la Esperanza is a newer neighborhood than the ones we have worked with in the past. Through a participatory process the neighborhood identified a community center as one of its top priorities. The center will allow the community to carry out recreational, artistic, and learning activities for children, mothers and young people. The proposed center will be a multifunctional space that will include two bathrooms and serve 250 families.

Below are renderings of the community center.

The first diagram shows that the approximately 290 sf community center would be made of wood.

The second diagram shows the design for the two bathrooms that will be part of the community center.

See a time-lapse video of TECHO volunteers constructing a wooden house in Colombia. The construction of the community center in Brisas will be similar, but our project will be larger.

In addition, this year we are again partnering with San Benito Menni and providing scholarships to 10 adult students from Ciudadela Sucre to complete their secondary education. The education provides residents tools that can increase their employability and general sense of accomplishment and demonstrates BTA's commitment to partnering with one of the oldest social organizations working in the community.

This fall we are excited to once again return to Ciudadela Sucre! The trip will take place on November 6-13, 2024, and we invite you to join us. We will be building on November 9, 10, and 11, and interacting with other nonprofits, touring and enjoying some free time on the other days. Please contact Chris Davis at 612-703-7165 for more information about this trip.

You can learn more about Building Trust Americas and our work here: https://www.buildingtrustamericas.org/. We are grateful for your continued support!

Photos from last year's trip to Colombia where three of BTA's board members participated as volunteers alongside residents and other local volunteers.

2024 Support Building Trust Americas Work in Colombia

By Building Trust Americas

2024 Support Building Trust Americas Work in Colombia

Partnering with the Communities of Ciudadela Sucre, Colombia