This week, we were given access to the university across from our accommodation: Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), Medellín. We use the university as a space for project planning and collaboration. It also has a gym and swimming pool that we can use, which has helped me relax and stay active while living in Medellin.
In the weeks ahead, we will be recruiting volunteers from UPB to support our projects. They will help bridge language and cultural differences by assisting with intercultural communication and Spanish, while also bringing valuable local perspectives. We hope that they will not only contribute during our time here but also be able to continue developing some of our ideas after we leave at the end of the six-week programme. We have already organised our first meeting and I am looking forward to working with them!
Over the weekend, we visited the Bazar de la Confianza, a festival that brings together organisations and individuals involved in solidarity economy to celebrate collaboration and demonstrate what can be achieved when communities work together around shared values.
The festival was held in Medellin’s Botanical Garden, where a wide variety of local food and handmade products were available. I particularly enjoyed trying guarapo, a traditional sugarcane-based drink. At the heart of the garden, a large stage hosted performances by local musicians and dancers, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day.
One of the organisations we are collaborating with, Picacho con Futuro, had a stall where they sold a traditional meal. Events like the Bazar provide organisations with an opportunity to raise awareness of their work in the wider local community. It was inspiring to see the range of social enterprises represented.
Although Fundación SORA was not participating this year, visiting the festival made me reflect on how such events could provide a valuable opportunity in the future as it could help the foundation showcase its work, connect with new supporters, and generate additional income to support its community initiatives.
Overall, the Bazar allowed me to immerse myself further into Colombian culture, while gaining a deeper appreciation of Medellin’s vibrant social enterprise ecosystem. Week 2 has been full of new experiences and valuable learning. Onto week 3!