Comedor comunitario Nueva Esperanza-New Hope community kitchen.
By Adriana Matamoros.
"Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers and how one remembers it to tell the story." This quote from Colombia’s Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez resonates deeply as I write this article, evoking cherished memories and bringing a smile to my face, especially when I think about the kids I met back in February 2024. This particular issue holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my first visit to help set up this partner kitchen. Its name, Nueva Esperanza—or New Hope in English—reflects the longing for new beginnings and the chance life sometimes offers us to gain new perspectives and build new dreams after painful events that force us to leave behind the people and places we once loved dearly.
This time, I spoke with Rosa, 29, one of the mothers helping to run this community kitchen. Compassion Kitchens, along with the support of Manuela, a musician committed to helping the community and its children, helped set up this community kitchen back in February 2024. Rosa, originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, first moved to Santa Marta, Colombia, where she met her husband, Luis. Together, they have three children, and Luis takes on temporary work in San Onofre and Rincón del Mar.
Rosa is a compassionate mother who cares not only for her children but also for those of other families. For many, it’s difficult to make ends meet, and feeding their children three meals a day is an enormous challenge. Rosa says they feel immensely grateful for the support provided by Compassion Kitchens. During the visit, as I walked through the homes, I noticed a few empty refrigerators, and some houses felt hollow. Hugging some of the children goodbye, I learned that several are left in the care of grandparents or other relatives while their parents seek work in bigger cities like Cartagena. Despite the challenging environment, these children embody resilience and the optimism of new beginnings.
This observation moved her to seek help in establishing a community kitchen. In an unexpected twist of fate, Manuela crossed paths with Derek, the Director of Compassion Kitchens in Medellín, during one of her presentations. They connected, and Derek made his first visit to Nueva Esperanza in 2023. With the support he gathered, he and members of Compassion Kitchens returned to help establish the community kitchen. It was then that we met Rosa, a passionate cook, who decided to lead the project.
This is the story of Nueva Esperanza— a place of resilience and new beginnings.
Name: Rosyani Rosa Pirella Álvarez, 29.
Photo: Rosa Pirella, leader of our partner community kitchen Nueva Esperanza- New Hope.
Name of the community kitchen: Nueva Esperanza or New Hope in English. The creation of this community kitchen was sparked by the initiative of Manuela, a local resident with a generous heart who has long been involved with the children in the community. A music therapist who leads healing through music sessions for the kids, Manuela frequently visited Nueva Esperanza and noticed that many children often lacked enough to eat.
Where is the community kitchen located?
Nueva Esperanza is home to about 30 refugee families who fled the turmoil in Venezuela. They found shelter in abandoned houses alongside the road between San Onofre and Rincón del Mar, a small coastal town. It was shared by some locals that this land once belonged to one of the area’s wealthiest men, who owned vast sugarcane fields.
However, in an unexpected turn of fate, the government repurposed the land for a social housing project for locals. Yet one detail went overlooked: the project sits directly across from a cemetery. Deeply ingrained in Latin American culture, with its strong Christian heritage, is the belief that one should not live close to a cemetery. For many, such a space should remain undisturbed as the final resting place of the departed. This cultural belief led the original residents to abandon the settlement, leaving it empty for refugee families seeking stability to make it their own.
Locals refer to the settlement as Petares, a nickname derived from Caracas’ infamous dangerous neighborhood. Though this label carries a hint of disdain, the residents of Nueva Esperanza hold on to hope, undeterred by discrimination. When we first arrived, we were welcomed by children with wide smiles and shining eyes. I invited them to draw their dreams, and we danced and played while the mothers, along with Derek, lit the fire to start cooking and serving meals. True to the name New Hope, the kids eagerly shared stories about their aspirations—to become police officers, famous soccer players like Ronaldo, singers, or one child confiding that he just knew he’d board an airplane one day to visit the U.S. There was a joy and certainty in his eyes, as when you talk about a dream and begin to feel the thrill of it becoming real.
San Onofre, located three hours from Cartagena along the Atlantic coast or 30 minutes from Nueva Esperanza, feels like a scene from one of García Márquez’s tales. The landscape, the people, and the atmosphere reflect the essence of magical realism, with stories that run deep, faces wise with experience, and a pace that feels timeless. The town’s central Spanish colonial plaza, sunlit skies, children in their school uniforms, and historic Catholic churches all seem untouched by the passing centuries, creating an environment filled with tranquility and joy. During this visit we went to a couple of local supermarkets in San Onofre to get staples and fresh vegetables with Rosa, her husband Luis, Manuela, her girlfriend, Derek, Noah, (also from Compassion Kitchens) and me. We were all so excited to set up the kitchen.
How many kids does the kitchen serve?
This community kitchen serves around 50 to 60 people, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women, from Monday to Friday. Rosa says that at first, they used to serve both breakfast and lunch but since the rainy season started they had to switch to provide lunch and dinner.
What can you tell us about the community and the children where this kitchen operates?
Rosa mentioned that in the community where the kitchen operates, many families face economic hardships. Parents often work in informal jobs, such as cutting cane or gathering firewood, and sometimes they are unable to earn enough to feed their families.
Rosa mentioned that in the community where the kitchen operates, many families face economic hardships. Parents often work in informal jobs, such as cutting cane or gathering firewood, and sometimes they are unable to earn enough to feed their families. As a result, many families cannot afford to eat three meals a day, and some manage only one. Compassion Kitchens’ support has proven crucial to support families from Nueva Esperanza.
As for the community’s makeup, there were initially more Venezuelans than Colombians, but over time, more Colombians have arrived, and now both nationalities live together in a mixed community.
How have you seen the community kitchen impacting the lives of the children?
Rosa shared that the community kitchen has had a meaningful impact on the lives of children in the community. She recounted the story of a grandmother who took on the care of her four grandchildren during a difficult and complex family situation. Thanks to the kitchen, Rosa explained, these children always had food while their parents were away for nearly a year due to a personal challenge involving their eldest child. Rosa remarked, “It was so wonderful to see how the kitchen supported the grandmother, who couldn’t manage to provide enough food for the children. It was heartwarming to see their joy when we told them it was time to eat. The kitchen gave them the vital support they needed at that time.”
Rosa also noted that the community kitchen has encouraged better relationships among the children, who used to fight frequently. Now, they enjoy shared meal times together, creating a more harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
What challenges did you face when starting this project and how did you overcome them?
Rosa mentioned several challenges she has faced in the kitchen, with the main one being cooking in large quantities, something she had never done before. However, she was able to overcome this challenge thanks to her previous experience working in restaurants, which taught her how to handle food, maintain cleanliness, and stay organized while serving meals. Additionally, Rosa has also faced difficulties related to the availability of help. Normally, she cooks with two or three other mothers but there are days when she has to cook alone because some of the mothers are either ill or have sick children.
What support have you received from the community and other partners?
The kitchen has received support in various ways. Manuela, one of the project's initiators, has been crucial in organizing and motivating the community. With a big heart and a deep commitment to the children, she helped create the kitchen to meet their nutritional needs.
Rosa also mentioned that some mothers assist in the kitchen when they can, making the work more manageable. The kitchen has also received support from organizations like Compassion Kitchens, although additional help from others has been limited. Rosa highlighted that the families benefiting from the kitchen are grateful, as it helps them save money on food, which is essential given their economic struggles.
Lastly, she mentioned Vivart, a group of French volunteers that runs activities for the children. Vivart visits the kitchen once a week to offer activities such as painting, trips to the library, and sports in a space converted into a small field. This support has been valuable in fostering community and child development.
What are the future plans for the kitchen?
Rosa hopes to improve the area where the kitchen is located. She mentioned that Travis, another member of Compassion Kitchens, who also visited them early this year, donated zinc sheets for the kitchens roof, but they haven’t been able to install them due to a lack of funds for the installation work. She also expressed a desire to lay flooring in the space, but not throughout the entire area, as they want to maintain a green space with planted vegetation. Rosa noted that they would like to separate the kitchen area from the recreation space to ensure that Vivart’s activities don’t interfere with meal preparation.
What advice would you give to other women or individuals who wish to start or lead a similar project in their communities?
Rosa offered valuable advice to others who may want to start a community kitchen project. She suggested doing it "with a lot of love and care," emphasizing that it is a deeply rewarding experience. Rosa highlighted that seeing the children's faces filled with joy when they receive their meals is priceless. She also encouraged others not to fear the amount of food they need to prepare, as "little by little, you figure things out, and things fall into place over time."
This advice focuses on the importance of love in service and patience in the process of learning and adapting.
Anything you would like to say?
When Rosa was asked about this, she expressed her hope that the kitchen’s work continues to be as meaningful as it has been. She thanked Compassion Kitchens for their support, which has made it possible for the kitchen to become a reality. Rosa emphasized that this support has been crucial in helping the families and children in the community. As Rosa recalled the children’s faces when they came to pick up their meals, she became overwhelmed with emotion. The memory of those joyful moments was so touching and beautiful that she began to cry, expressing her deep gratitude for the impact the kitchen has had on the community, especially with children.
Rosa also mentioned that Travis made them laugh a lot during his visit. He jokingly referred to himself as a "fake gringo" and a "fake paisa," which brought many laughs from everyone. She added that, although Travis's visit was brief, his humor and personality left a lasting impression, and the community always remembers him with love.
Before closing this piece, I would like to add that this visit was incredibly enriching for me, as it marked my first opportunity to get involved in a volunteer activity with kids, all thanks to my good friend Derek. At first, it all seemed impossible—between my former job and the distance I live from the community—but as he promised, he made it happen. Initially, I didn’t know where or how to start, but he gave me that chance, and for that, I am beyond grateful. This has been a long-held dream of mine, ever since I realized that true positive change in the world begins with children. Within every child lies immense potential to shape a better future. Have you ever thought that one of those little minds might hold the cure for cancer or the key to solving world hunger? It’s our responsibility to protect and nurture them, helping them realize their full potential as they grow into the adults who will drive positive change.
As I reflect on the moments I shared with the kids, my heart is filled with love. I had the privilege of learning about their dreams, drawing, playing, and even becoming a little girl again myself. Their smiles and hugs, given freely and without hesitation, were priceless. Not only did they fill me with energy, but they also brought me joy through their generosity. My only hope now is that we can continue to support this community so that these children can one day realize their dreams.
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