El Minuto de Dios is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Colombia, which was founded in 1955 by Father Rafael García-Herreros. The organization was created as an answer to fulfill the needs of the poorest communities in Colombia.
Father García-Herreros was not only a visionary, but he was also recognized as a pioneer of mass media in Colombia. El Minuto de Dios arose from a modest radio slot that was first listened to in 1950, which had then crossed over to television in 1955. Since then it has been broadcasting daily without interruptions. This program is considered to be the oldest in Colombia.
In his effort to cover all the aspects of the human development, Father García-Herreros focused his labors towards the construction of homes for the people most in need. He pointed out that housing creates development – To own a house does not represent wealth, however, not to have a home is a symbol of poverty.
Simultaneously, he considered that education is the engine that moves the progress of the communities that was how he founded several schools in depressed areas of Bogotá. El Minuto de Dios School first opened its doors in 1958 in the same neighborhood where he began to construct houses for the poor.
In the blueprints of this neighborhood, he reserved space for a future university. Over time El Minuto de Dios became a focus of development in the city. The schools and the university have assisted more than 20,000 families in Bogotá.
Worried for the lack of employment of many families that requested help, he was determined to create employment programs and community development projects.
Today, El Minuto de Dios is an example for Colombia and also for the world. It promotes the creation of health centers, the construction of a the Museum of Contemporary Art, a theater for cinema and dramatic arts, a clothes manufacturing plant that creates 25,000 jobs for single mothers, the Charismatic Center from where the radio and television programs spreading the message of God are broadcasted.
All of these actions and more, like his affection for farmers, his interest in the environment, and his help during natural disasters like the ones in Popayán and Armero in Colombia and also in Nicaragua y Guatemala created the profile for social intervention that today characterizes El Minuto de Dios
The seed that Father García-Herreros sowed has generated positive outcomes; our social actions are centered on the construction of developed communities.
One must realize that love is the result of the work of El Minuto de Dios. Father García-Herreros had a profound love for Colombia, for God and specially for those most in need.
Since the death of Father García-Herreros, Father Diego Jaramillo Cuartas became the spirit and the head of El Minuto de Dios. His actions and devotion have made him the cornerstone of the Organization, for he is living testimony of the social commitment and the goal of El Minuto de Dios to serve those in need.
