Yes, we’ll send a receipt to the email address you provide when donating. The receipt will include your donation details, such as the date, amount, and any beneficiary information.

No. The Emiliani Project does not facilitate child adoptions, nor do we provide adoption advice or guidance. Our focus is getting the children off the street and in a loving and protective environment.

Please Sponsor Sara Pineda!

Q: Is my donation secure?

Yes. Your security and privacy is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL technology to keep your information safe and secure.

Q: How is my personal data handled?

Your personal data is processed in accordance with our privacy policy and also in accordance with the privacy policy of GoFundMe, our website partner.

Q: Is this donation tax deductible?

We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Q: How long does my sponsorship commitment last?

Hopefully forever! Although we hope you will make a long term commitment to our organization, you may stop your contribution at any time. You can cancel by logging into this Sponsorship portal.

Q: What happens after I sponsor a child?

You will immediately receive an email confirmation of the details of your sponsorship. Then, an Emiliani staff member will contact you by email to confirm your sponsorship details and to answer any additional questions you may have.

Q: Can I visit my sponsored child?

Yes! Every year, we organize mission trips for volunteers who want to help with the children or with the ongoing maintenance of our home. Please visit our Volunteer page for more information.

Q: What makes The Emiliani Project different from other organizations?

Emiliani is a 100% volunteer organization operated in the US to help orphaned and abandoned children. 100% of your sponsorship donations go directly to our projects that supply the care, support and education for these children.

We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Please keep your receipt as your official record. We'll email it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Sara Valentina Pineda Mayo

Nickname: Sara
Birthday: 5/24/2013
Gender: Female
Siblings: 2
Entrance Date: 9/4/2025
Grade: 4
Home Level: 1

About Sara: Sara entered the Home in September 2025 along with her two sisters, Valery and Dani.

The mother requested the child's placement stating that her family lives in Tarzá - Antioquia and she has no other support network to care for the child. The mother works in an avocado export company 12 hours a day, and the child is cared for by several neighbors which represents an instability in her education, values and customs. She lives near the Hogar de Cristo.

Hobbies & Sports: Sara likes to play basketball in her free time, enjoys being with her friends, and reading. Her favorite story is The Tortoise and the Hare, her favorite food is beans with pork rinds, and her favorite singer is Karol G.

What does Sara want to be when she grows up? When she grows up she wants to be a doctor.

!!! Updates for Sara !!!

Sara Valentina is a 12-year-old girl from Medellín with a competitive and dreaming spirit. She describes herself as someone who likes to share and learn constantly. Her favorite food is a traditional dish: lentils with rice. Her greatest wish is to become the "best" cyclist in the world, travel by plane, and discover new places. She defines the foundation as an "incredible and interesting" place and invites volunteers to visit this space that she appreciates so much.

Sara joined Hogar de Cristo in September 2025 along with her sisters Valery and Dani. Her mother, who works 12-hour shifts at an avocado export company, requested the foundation's support due to a lack of support networks in Medellín, as the rest of her family resides in Tarazá, Antioquia. Before joining, Sara was cared for by various neighbors, which led to instability in her education and the development of her values. At The Home, Sara has found the stability and guidance necessary to grow holistically alongside her sisters.

What's new in school? Sara has a very special connection with her academic training; in fact, the school is her favorite place in the entire foundation. Her favorite subject is Mathematics, where she demonstrates great skill and dedication. She values the educational environment as a space for personal growth and considers it fundamental to achieving her professional dreams in the future.

What does she do after school? She is a very sociable girl who deeply enjoys sharing and playing with her peers. She actively participates in reading sessions and the home's group dynamics. She has successfully internalized the values-based training provided by the foundation, highlighting her learning about respect and good manners in daily life. Additionally, she enthusiastically engages in recreational and integration activities.

What are her sports and hobbies? Her great passion is sports. Although her favorite sport at the foundation is basketball, her true dream is cycling, inspired by her idol Mariana Pajón. In her free time, she also greatly enjoys reading. She has a great affinity for animals, with dogs being her favorite pets at the home. She loves exploring the vast and "cool" spaces that the foundation offers.

Frequently asked questions

Is my donation secure?

Do I get a receipt?

How is my personal data handled?

Is this donation tax deductible?

How long does my sponsorship commitment last?

What happens after I sponsor a child?

Can I adopt a child?

Am I the only sponsor for a child?

No. Unlike most of the other child sponsorship programs, we allow a child to have multiple sponsors. Other sponsorship organizations provide many wonderful services for their children; food, clothing, education. We are a little bit different in that we are operating a Home for these kids and thus also provide them with a place to live, staff to cook food for them them and teachers to educate them.

Can I visit my sponsored child?

What makes The Emiliani Project different from other organizations?

What happens if a child leaves the home?

Many kids at the home are in volatile situations where they may have family members in the area, but are unable to provide for their children. Although we are given guardianship over the children, family members, according to Colombian law, maintain their authority. If a family member arrives to claim responsibility, we are obligated to relinquish the child to them. If this happens, you will be notified and your sponsorship will be moved to a new child, so that you can continue helping children.