This summer I spent six weeks in Medellín, Colombia for my Leadership in Action project. Along with my fellow scholars, we worked with two grassroots organizations, Picacho con Futuro and Mi Barrio Mi Sueño, on projects around sustainability, education, and community resilience.
Our group partnered with Picacho con Futuro to design a sustainability pamphlet with tips on recycling, reducing, and reusing. We wanted to make environmental knowledge accessible, something families could actually apply in their homes. We also ran art workshops where kids used recycled materials to build a mural of their neighborhood. Each child created their own house or local landmark, from the cable car to the soccer field. It was messy and chaotic at times, but watching the mural come together was one of my favorite parts of the summer. We ended with an “Eco-Bazar” where we shared the pamphlets, played trivia games, and gave out baskets from the local farmers’ market. The event brought neighbors together in a way that felt joyful and collective, and it also supported campesino producers in the area.
In La Honda, we worked with Mi Barrio Mi Sueño to help build a playground. Most of our time there was spent moving rocks and leveling dirt under the hot Medellín sun. It was exhausting, but what stayed with me was how invested the neighbors were. They led the efforts, and we just joined in for a small part of their daily reality. Afterward they invited us into their homes for lunch, and the generosity in those moments is something I will never forget.
Some of the hardest but most important parts of the summer were tied to Colombia’s history of violence. Visiting the Museo Casa de la Memoria was painful, especially knowing how much my own family was affected by the conflict. It reminded me that memory and justice are not abstract concepts. They live in the stories people carry, in the neighborhoods marked by struggle, and in the organizing that continues today.
What I learned about leadership is that it is not about stepping in with answers. It is about listening closely, following the guidance of those who know their community best, and lending your energy to projects that outlast your presence. I also learned that resilience can be found in creativity and joy, whether in kids painting cardboard houses or neighbors celebrating together at the bazaar.
Overall, I left with a deeper understanding of solidarity and a stronger commitment to education and community work. I really learned that leadership is not about being at the center, but about helping create spaces where others can become empowered and lead themselves. I am so beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I really feel like it was the most transformative and inspiring experience I have had so far.