History

  •  Lady Y. Rodriguez met her co-founder Peter R. Mowland at a conference in London in 2008 and within a short period of time they discovered their mutual interest in orphaned children. They both held the strong belief that every child has the ability to flourish in society, notwithstanding the origins of their birth. They decided to develop a project to set up a charity and create a home for deprived children and as a result Santa Maria Foundation (SMF) began in earnest in early 2009.

    As a Colombian national and coming from a family with a long tradition in charitable work, Lady Yomara was aware of the desperate need for help and support for the many orphans who find themselves excluded from society in her country.

    Having semi-retired from a successful business career, Peter R. Mowland wanted to find a way to “give back” to the underprivileged in the world community. He wished to not only offer a substantial part of his financial gain, but also use his life experience to help children unable to help themselves.

    Both Peter and Lady Yomara decided therefore that Colombia represented a worthy cause and so they travelled there to engage in research in order to obtain all the necessary government and legal permissions and to set up a local support group of like and minded caring people who are prepared to give their time and love, without personal financial gain.

    As a result Santa Maria Foundation was born and for three years has been donating to and supporting existing Colombian Orphanages. However, Santa Maia Foundation always aspired and has finally managed to acquire its own premises to house a large group of orphan girls. At the moment, we strive to raise funds to equip the house with all essential household facilities and cover the day to day running costs of food, clothes and education, as well as maintain our support of the existing Colombian orphanages.

    The Santa Maria Foundation is recognised by the Colombian Government (ICBF) by virtue of its charitable status number 2677, December 2008, RUT 900260914-6. It is also recognised by the Charity Commission with the UK Charity Number 1131864, September 2009. We comprise of four Directors, all of whom are volunteers and un-paid.