Young Lumos Colombia members share insights into life in institutions
01.04.2026
Members of Lumos Colombia’s Youth Advisory Board attended a new photographic exhibition in Bogota, Colombia. The exhibition aimed to show what everyday life is like for the 14,461 children and young people in the country who live in institutions, growing up without a family of their own.
The ‘Seeing Through My Eyes’ exhibition, created by the young members, was an invitation to understand the daily lives of these children and young people from their perspective, learning more about what they enjoy, what concerns them, what they dream of, and what they’d like to change.
The showcase also provided an opportunity to reflect on the right of children and young people to grow up with greater autonomy and for them to have the opportunity for individuality. Many everyday decisions affecting children and young people living in institutions are shaped by rules and guidelines created by the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF). However, these rules focus more on the State’s administrative and legal duties than on children’s overall wellbeing. As a result, care often becomes standardised, limiting children’s autonomy, individuality, and ability to make choices about their own lives.
For those over 14 years old, these rules often mean children need authorisation for normal activities like going to the cinema, joining school projects outside school, or travelling. This strict regulation means they sometimes miss chances to make their own decisions, build friendships outside the protection system, and participate freely in the community.
Pictured: Sophia Jaramillo, Child and Youth Participation Co-ordinator for Lumos Colombia (centre) with three of the Youth Advisory Board members who submitted photography for the exhibition.
The photographs were taken at the end of 2025 by around 30 children and young people who live institutions. All are members of the Lumos Colombia Youth Advisory Board – this group work in formal partnership with Lumos to shape our policies, services, and advocacy.
An institution is not the ideal place for children to grow up – residential care cannot replace the warmth, love, and stability of a family setting. Many children spend years living in an institution without seeing their siblings, relatives, or familiar surroundings. Living in this way, friendships, routines and memories are made that mark their lives for the future. At Lumos we know that when we listen to children and value their perspective, we can create lasting change.
– Rosario Del Rio, Country Director for Lumos Colombia.
This exhibition was held in early March at the University of the Andes, led by Fundación Lumos Colombia, in collaboration with NiñezYA, the coalition of child-focused NGOs in Colombia and the Centro Imagina at the university.
Photography from the exhibition with interpretations from the Lumos Youth Advisory Board:
Soft companionship (Compañía suave)
In Soft companionship, a comfort object is shown. Stuffed animals are part of daily life – we hug them, talk to them when no one else is around, and they help us feel calm. They aren’t seen as friends, but as transitional objects that bring peace and comfort. Each one has its own story: it may have come from the institution, a foster family, a biological family, other children living there, or people we’ve met. Because of this, they carry special meaning and represent affection.
The soft toys in the photo were given to a child by a teacher who they care about very much.
Our bathroom (Nuestro baño)
Our bathroom shows everyday life in a shared home, where girls, boys, and young people of the same sex and similar ages share a bathroom. Each toothbrush has a name and a number and stays in a specific place so everyone can recognise their own and respect others. Everyone brushes their teeth at the same time to avoid mix-ups.
This photo shows how even simple routines like washing or bathing require organisation, trust, and learning to live together. In this shared home, what is usually private becomes part of daily life with others.
Looking at the sky (Mirar al cielo)
Looking at the sky captures a break from routine. For the children, looking at the sky feels like freedom – an escape from daily life that gives them a brief moment to observe and reflect.
Glimpses of friendship and future (Miradas de amistad y futuro)
Glimpses of friendship and future shows the friendship between two young people and how emotional bonds within the protection system become sources of support and trust. Their gaze reflects mutual acceptance, companionship, and the strength of relationships formed despite institutional challenges.
The close focus on their eyes highlights the intimacy of their connection, suggesting that friendship offers a safe space to express emotions, build self-esteem, and imagine a better future. These bonds foster resilience and personal growth, proving how essential emotional connections are in shared living environments.
Taking part in this exhibition was a way to express how we feel and think. Through the images, we can share what we experience daily – moments of joy and sadness, spaces, and people who are important to us. With each photograph, we invited you to see the world from our eyes, to recognise our voices, and to reflect on the importance of family and the right to grow up in a loving, protective environment.
– Tania, Lumos Colombia Youth Advisory Board member.
