U.S. citizen Mark Kaseman first arrived in Colombia in 2004. Captivated, he returned two years later, and a chance encounter with a missionary couple brought him to Medellín where he has been working since pioneering his own charity project in one of the city's most impoverished barrios.
With the missionary group, Kaseman ventured up into the city’s poorest areas where he was confronted by thousands of predominantly displaced people living high on the valley slopes, banished to the fringes of society and ignored by authorities embarrassed by their presence.
Kaseman fell for the struggling families he met and when the missionaries withdrew from the mountain, amid suspicions that paramilitaries controlling the neighbourhood had driven them away, Kaseman stood his ground, choosing to abandon life in the U.S. for Medellín. He began his own project – Angeles de Medellín.
The community of 8,000 people lives isolated from the urban centre of Medellín and the town of Bello below them. The majority are families displaced by Colombia’s interminable armed conflict. Homes are built from splintered wood and plastic sheeting, while the streets are gouged from the mud. With only two buses connecting the neighbourhood to the world below, there is little infrastructure and, according to Kaseman, the secluded community receives no support from city authorities.
Kaseman, thought slight and unassuming, is ambitious, devoted and impressively energetic - clearly adored by locals who call him “Padre de la Montaña”. Largely alone, though aided by donations from family and friends, Kaseman has established a thriving school called Leon 13, which currently counts 280 students. He noted that the drop-out rate is surprisingly low, “those who come to school tend to stay,” while the primary issue is pregnancy among young girls – five students under the age of 15 fell pregnant this year.
As we wandered through ramshackle streets a stream of children flung themselves into Kaseman’s arms, while he pointed out that many see him as something of a saviour, “I am not, I cannot be,” he sighed. He bears a clear burden but brightly intends to persevere regardless, “as long as I don’t die, I’m happy.”
In October 2006, paramilitary gang members resentful of Kaseman’s achievements and popularity with the locals issued a sobering warning, “if Mark ever comes up here again, we’ll kill him.” Refusing to desert his project and people, Kaseman went up the next day and confronted the paramilitaries. He described looking into the leader’s faces and stating “if you ever see me do a single thing wrong here, you can kill me.”
The majority of the community welcome him, but it is an colossal task to take on so many, such desperate people, and Kaseman puts the poorest first and foremost. Bitterness and jealousy invariably arise and in a country where life is cheap, Kaseman seems honourably aware that his work could at any point cost him his life.
On December 19 Kaseman is throwing a Christmas party at the school. He has a list of the worst-off families for whom he will be providing food and modest gifts – every time he visits the mountain he cannot help but add more names to that list (on the two occasions he produced it, an eager crowd engulfed him). Kaseman is expecting over 700 people to attend the party, and many more will be sorry they did not make his list. With limited funds there will never be room for everyone.
It is clear that Kaseman’s mission is a labour of love. “This is my family away from my family.” He puts it down to his desire to show people - above all children - that the world is bursting with opportunity; “they have got to dream.” Kaseman says that he enjoys bringing foreigners to meet his adopted community as he hopes it will inspire both parties.
Kaseman has aspirations to make Angeles de Medellín into a foundation but expenses and bureaucracy have so far impeded him. For now he is happy to do it alone, “I am an honest man ... like this I do not have to answer to anyone.” Without the middle-men involved in a foundation Kaseman says that every penny of money donated goes directly to those who need it.
The project is ever-growing and achieving exceptional results. The dedication and enthusiasm radiating from Kaseman is unusually honest and thus very moving; “every day I wake up excited ... I have no regrets.”
Bluebird
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... What an incredible, heartwarming story!!!! I literally got a lump in my throat while reading this. I hope every reader will find it in their heart to give whatever they can to help these children. It does not matter whether you can give $5.00 or $500.00......the important thing is to help with what you can. Putting a smile on a child's face is priceless!!!! May God bless you and protect you Mark Kaseman. Your bravery is an inspiration to the rest of us! Adriaan....thanks also to all of you for making it possible for CR readers to become involved in this. Let's try to make this Christmas a little brighter for these kids!! |
crispancho
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... Yea bluebird too bad Colombians like you have not come up with the thought of giving some of your time. Volunteering is not popular at all and you should lead by example! |
Compatriota
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... This is just a small part of what needs to be done. Throwing money at a problem does not solve it. I have to agree that people must get to work. If you put a hundred people like Kaseman into Colombia instead of putting people in prison in the United States or spraying people with weed killer, think what would happen. |
Liz
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... This story is ridiculous. Is it supposed to be funny? I am so sick of these articles that present these Jesus-like Gringos swooping in and majestically allowing the pitiful, pathetic, poor people flock to them. Note that NOBODY from Bello or from Leon 13 or from these disenfranchised Medellin barrios is quoted. Instead, all we have is Kaseman's voice. The article reinforces an image of poor Latinos as helpless and without agency, waiting for top-down aid to come in and save them. Kaseman is doing good work, but the way this article is written is problematic, cliched and stupid. It is bad journalism. |
Adriaan
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... Ouch Liz! Not anywhere in this article is implied that charity like this is a solution. It focuses on the work of one man we support, because he is actually doing something practical that shows results and, while we're all waiting for the world to improve, is providing food to people who at this very moment are starving. The reality is that when Mark goes to the barrio the people do come up to him as described. This is not romanticized or exaggerated. It was the simple observation of the reporter at that time. If this article were to pretend to report on the solutions Colombia needs to improve the all-round situation of those living in poverty, it would be horrid journalism, but it doesn't. The article isn't about the poverty in Colombia, it focuses on one guy's efforts to do something in one specific barrio. Reports on poverty can be found in other articles on this website and other media. Colombia's problems will not be solved if only there were thousands of angel-like gringos flying down to feed the poor, but give me a break, how bad is it to report on this one guy so that he can make sure these people aren't starving for Christmas? |
Liz
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... Ay ay ay, Adriaan ; ) There's nothing wrong in profiling charity work, but profile it well. The way this is presented is so one-sided and stereotypical. For an article about someone's efforts to support the disenfranchised, it's very disenfranchising. Also, I think the reason why I doth protest so much is because the writing is just plain bad (sorry, Ashley). I mean - "To witness a person so dedicated to the welfare of others restores a little faith in the power of the human spirit." Urrrgh!! Writing 101: show, don't tell. |
marcus
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... awesome work! he should team up with arturo, aka medellintraveler. * although this work is very important, it is also notable to tell people that the generosity of the paisas is extremely high during the holidays and their is alot of great charity work being done all over town. in fact, i have never seen more localized charity efforts than in medellin during the holidays. it is an incredible thing to see. |
phs
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... Need more like him. Just giving won't solve the problem, education and hope for a better life will. PHS Gringo en Guamo |
Oibrigade
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... I find it funny that Liz really doubts the truth of this story. Do you think the Colombian government cares about these poor people? No, they don't. Nobody does, not even the FARC or the AUC. Colombians in general are used to seeing poverty. They don't feel the same as gringo's who get off a plane and see what Colombians see everyday. I say let them help, because we Colombians have become blind to our own brothers and sisters. |
mchesley
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... I met Mr. Kaseman a year ago when I first moved to Medellin from the States. I was so impressed with what he was doing to help the children make a better life for themselves. He not only helps out, but teaches the children English and when he finds that a student doesnt have any reading or writing materials, he's off to Centro to buy more supplies using his own money of course. By the way, the article didn't say that Mr. Kaseman himself lives on a very tight budget, but he always seems to scrape together something for the kids.. I recently returned from a week in the States and brought back clothes and a few sporting goods to make the Holiday a little brighter for Mr. Kasemans cause..... This is a full time project for this man, NOT just the Holidays.. For anyone wanting to help out at the Christmas Party, all you have to do is ask.... He never says NO to those wanting to lend a hand.... |
Bluebird
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... I am surprised at the number of readers that would rather criticize what Mark is trying to do rather than contributing even a couple of dollars.. It's not about solving all the problems of the poor, it's not about reinforcing stereotypes of" poor helpless latinos", it's not about this man being portrayed as a "Jesus-like gringo.......it's not about latino or gringo or any other race for that matter. It's only about a man who is willing to risk his own life to help children who have very very little. How can that possibly be twisted into something bad? |
crispancho
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... It takes more than just Dollars Bluebird. It takes 1 gringo, but how come this is not a Colombian? |
Christine
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... To the naysayers who have commented on this article - I am responding from the U.S. First of all, this article about Mark Kaseman was written by a student! Second of all, there are people in this world who want to give back and help others. I am a Spanish Teacher and have taken on Mark's cause as my own with my students. This is not a One-time, Holiday event as you criticize. We are raising money, school supplies and clothing for these unfortunate people. You should be ashamed to bash someone who has given up everything to just help others. If each of you would help just one person in your lives, this world would be a better place!! |
mark kaseman
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... i would like to thank everyone who have conributed to this christmas event and will be posting photos after the party on december 19th. I bring no reilgion into my work, i labor because i am blessed with love from these children and families WHO LIVE IN POVERTY.. for 4 years i have worked with these people, and never asked for anything from anyone. there are more displaced people every day in the mountains, hidden away from the valley, hidden away from everyone i can no longer do it by myself. I encourage and love to bring visitors to my school Leon XIII because it becomes a huge event for the kids. Because of wonderful people like yourselves, over 600 kids will have a day to remember, a gift to hold, a fruit to eat and candy. when you see the eyes of these children, when you see the hugs and love they have to give, you can appreciate what we have been blessed with in america and so many other countries. You are cordially invited to joing me at any time, and remember I work in the mountains the entire year, not one day, not one week. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL FROM MY FAMILY IN THE MOUNTAINS. |
S.E. Coleman
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... Mark, My brother I would like to be in touch with you!! Could you contact me? I have looked and looked for a website or e addy to write you. Hope you check this! Blessings cover you!! His servant your sister s.e. coleman www.secoleman.org |
