Aguapaneleros Medellín
Aguapaneleros was founded on May 15, 1998 in Medellín by José Guillermo Bolívar Tabares and Mary Luz Molina Pareja. Initially operating as a grassroots group delivering hot aguapanela and bread to marginalized people on the streets, the name “Aguapaneleros” (those who bring aguapanela) was given by the people they served. Over time, the group formalized, adopted San Vicente de Paúl as patron, and established itself as a foundation committed to holistic assistance and dignity for those society often overlooks.
Today, the foundation carries out weekly outreach, especially on Thursday nights, delivering meals, hot beverages, bread, emotional support and companionship to between 850 and 1000 homeless individuals in Medellín’s most marginalized zones. In addition, they run projects such as “Salva una Vida”, which supports detoxification and rehabilitation for street dwellers battling substance abuse, La Fiesta de la Calle, which brings medical care, showers, clothing, recreation and celebration, and programs for children and mothers in vulnerable situations. Their work combines charity with pathways toward reintegration, healing, and social inclusion.
The impact is profound: individuals living on the street feel seen, valued and cared for; many receive sustenance and a listening ear amid abandonment. Through rehabilitation support, they can begin new life projects, and families may be reconnected. Aguapaneleros’ mission of restoring dignity, offering hope, and promoting social transformation continues even in times of financial challenge, shining as a beacon of compassion in Medellín’s night.
