Julia Olarte de Cárdenas, one of the five founding women of the Las Golondrinas Foundation, passed away on the morning of October 27, 2021 (rip.) at the age of 87.
From left to right, Luz Vieira de Arcila (rip.), Clara Echavarría de Mejía and Julia Olarte de Cárdenas (rip.), three of the five founders of the Las Golondrinas Foundation.
Julita, as she is affectionately known in the organization, was always a defender of justice, which prompted her to work for the development of the most vulnerable children. It was for this reason that, in 1981, she joined forces with her two great friends, Luz and Clara, to found the Las Golondrinas Foundation. Later, Blanca and Cecilia arrived, who contributed to the construction of the educational vocation of the non-profit organization. At that time, none of them even imagined that that community soup kitchen would end up becoming, 40 years later, an institution that promotes the development of more than 20,000 children throughout the country.
Julia will always be remembered for her convictions and unwavering commitment to childhood. "Our goal was for the children to always have something to eat," she once said. The initial project, however, took a much more ambitious course over the years. Today, Las Golondrinas Foundation not only intervenes in child nutrition, it also acts on other fronts such as education, community development and the defense of children's rights, all framed in the values that always characterized the dream of the founders: inclusion, equity and recognition for children.
The Las Golondrinas Foundation deeply regrets the departure of Julita, one of the five women who, without any interest of their own, took that first step to build the Golondrinas mission. The organization sends its deepest condolences to her family and friends. In addition, it pays tribute in her name with the issuance of the posthumous coupon Doña Julia Olarte de Cárdenas, which will be delivered to anyone who wishes to express her condolences by supporting, as she did, the development of childhood in Colombia.
Julia is the second founder of Las Golondrinas to pass away, so today we also remember Luz Vieira de Arcila, who died on February 15, 2021. May they both rest in peace and continue, in spirit, illuminating the path of children .
Julia Olarte de Cárdenas 1934 - 2021 (rip.).