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Dear Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina,
My name is Diana Urbano, and I am the Director of IJM Colombia, a team of 16 amazing people committed to expand protection for women and girls living in vulnerable conditions in Colombia. Today, I feel blessed to be able to share with you the dreams, achievements, and challenges we experienced in 2024. Throughout our journey, we have witnessed the Lord's mercy in the lives of the people we serve.
This year, God allowed us to make progress toward our goal of protecting women and children who have experienced violence. We supported the national forensic services to update their procedures to assess victims of sexual violence. This project will have a national impact because the update guides health professionals on what steps to follow to ensure their reports serve as evidence for judicial cases.
We have also begun working with the Colombian Police to design a police service model that provides women and children with dignified and sensitive treatment when they seek help.
God has also allowed us to work with the local government in the North of Santander, a region that continues to experience the effects of illegal groups. There, we have established a network of women leaders who are driving community change and connecting with the local justice system to ensure that their services are accessible to those in need. In August, we held a Justice Retreat, a 3-day event that gathered survivors of violence and justice system authorities. With over 100 participants, the event was a success! During those days, local authorities interacted with survivors and listened to their stories. These authorities felt encouraged to work more collaboratively and be more responsive to the needs of women and children who experience sexual and physical violence.
The Colombian government has also been opened to receive support from us. To be honest with you, sometimes we are overwhelmed by the many needs they have. But we are grateful for the opportunity and see this as an open door to continue serving those in need.
We have also experienced some challenges. The security in rural areas of North of Santander where we serve has deteriorated. Due to the presence of illegal armed groups, several leaders and members of local justice institutions have lost their lives or have been threatened. Entire communities are affected by the rising tensions. On several occasions, our ability to travel to those areas has been limited, but we are grateful that our team is safe and well.
This situation evokes strong emotions in the team, yet this reminds me of how courageous and dedicated they are to serving women who live at risk every day.
We will continue collaborating with the Public Justice System institutions to improve their ability to combat sexual and physical violence and to ensure that those seeking justice can access services with dignity and that their cases are resolved effectively. We also hope to expand our intervention to other regions of the country and other institutions. God willing, we will achieve this dream.
This year, I have had the privilege to guide the team and see how each of them realizes their dreams in the work they do. We have built a team that loves and trusts each other deeply. This has enabled us to progress towards our goals and develop as individuals in our faith and commitment to Colombia.
Having the privilege to know you and stay connected is truly a gift from God. We want to say a big THANK YOU for your prayers and generous support. Your prayers and affection have strengthened us this year. Please continue to pray for us as we walk on this journey. We hope that 2025 will be full of blessings for you and your loved ones.
With sincere affection,
DianaUrbano
CountryDirector IJM
Colombia
