Who we are
A story of solidarity that became a network of pediatric care
Since 1962, the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas B’nai B’rith de Cali has worked to improve the well-being of vulnerable children and families in southwestern Colombia.
The story of the Ana Frank Ward began with a simple question: what can we do for a child who needs our help? Since then, a community initiative has grown into a sustained commitment to pediatric healthcare, built over more than six decades through solidarity, service, and meaningful partnerships.
Our role and our institutional partnership
The Ana Frank Ward is a philanthropic initiative led by the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas B’nai B’rith de Cali, in partnership with the Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV).
-
Agrupación de Damas Hebreas B’nai B’rith
A private non-profit organization of a philanthropic and social nature. It manages and mobilizes resources and supports projects in infrastructure, equipment, supplies, maintenance, humanization and well-being in order to strengthen pediatric care.
-
Hospital Universitario del Valle
The hospital responsible for delivering health services, medical and clinical care, and for operating its own services and hospital units.
-
Ana Frank Ward
The philanthropic initiative that brings these efforts and resources together to help strengthen pediatric care and the well-being of children and their families.
Each institution contributes from its own nature and areas of competence, with a common purpose: helping to provide pediatric care that is dignified, safe and human.
A history of commitment to children
- 1962
The beginning
The Agrupación de Damas Hebreas B’nai B’rith de Cali is founded, beginning more than six decades of service and social commitment.
- 1993
A milestone in pediatric care
The Agrupación opens the first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in southwestern Colombia and the third in the country.
The project was a turning point for the care of children in the region and confirmed our commitment to pediatric health.
- 2025
The Ana Frank Ward is transformed
The Ana Frank Ward expands and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is refurbished, strengthening its infrastructure and equipment to meet the needs of children who require specialized care.
- 2025
More ways to care
The Ana Frank Intermediate Care Unit opens its doors, expanding pediatric capacity and complementing the hospitalization and intensive care services.
- 2026
Resilience in the face of adversity
An earthquake struck Cali and led to the temporary evacuation of the Ana Frank Ward while the corresponding structural assessments were carried out.
Throughout the emergency, the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas stood by the Hospital Universitario del Valle and supported families and healthcare staff with food, diapers, and other essential supplies.
-
A mission that began in 1962
The Ana Frank Ward was established in 1962 by the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas B’nai B’rith de Cali and members of the Jewish community of Cali, with the purpose of contributing to better healthcare for children in south-western Colombia.
From its early years, the initiative received the support of healthcare professionals committed to providing quality pediatric care. Over time, it grew and became firmly established in partnership with the Hospital Universitario del Valle, becoming a lasting example of solidarity and commitment to children.
-
1993: A new chapter in pediatric care
In 1993, the Ana Frank Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (CIPAF) was inaugurated, marking a decisive step forward in the care of critically ill children.
It was the first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in southwestern Colombia and the third in the country, expanding the Hospital Universitario del Valle’s capacity to care for children requiring highly specialized treatment.
For decades, the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas has helped sustain this work through resource mobilization, equipment, maintenance, infrastructure, fundraising campaigns, and partnerships with individuals, companies, foundations, and institutions.
-
A transformation that continues
In 2025, the Ana Frank Ward entered a new stage of strengthening and modernization, with investments in infrastructure, technology, and equipment designed to provide safer, more dignified, and more human-centered environments for pediatric care.
In 2025, the Ana Frank Intermediate Care Unit was added, expanding the capacity to care for children who require specialized monitoring and care before or after an intensive care stay.
Today, the Ana Frank Ward is much more than a physical space: it is a collaborative network that brings together the community, private sector, social organizations, healthcare professionals, and the Hospital Universitario del Valle around one shared purpose: helping ensure that every child receives the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.
-
When adversity puts a mission to the test
In August 2026, an earthquake affected Cali and led to the temporary evacuation of the Ana Frank Ward while the necessary safety assessments were carried out.
The emergency changed the spaces, but it did not change our mission.
During those days, the Agrupación de Damas Hebreas supported the Hospital, children, families, and healthcare staff with food, diapers, hygiene supplies, and other essential assistance, while pediatric care continued in alternative hospital areas.
Because resilience is also a way of caring: adapting, standing together, and moving forward.
But the challenge continues: the capacity available to us was reduced significantly against the infrastructure we had before the emergency.
Our priority today is to:
- recover safe spaces
- strengthen our capacity to care
- recover equipment
- adapt the infrastructure
- stand by the children and their families
- support the healthcare staff
More than six decades of commitment
-
Solidarity
because caring for others is a collective responsibility.
-
Service
because we seek to transform resources and opportunities into well-being for children.
-
Commitment
because lasting impact requires continuity.
-
Collaboration
because meaningful change is built together.
-
Tikkun Olam
The responsibility to help repair and improve the world through our actions.
Looking ahead
The story of the Ana Frank Ward shows how one act of solidarity can transcend generations.
What began as an initiative led by women committed to the well-being of children has become a more-than-six-decade partnership dedicated to strengthening pediatric care in southwestern Colombia.
The solidarity of yesterday made today’s Ana Frank Ward possible. The solidarity of today can help build the future of pediatric care.
We remain committed to helping children receive care in safe, dignified, and compassionate environments.
Board of Directors
