Refining Our Approach: Advanced Design Thinking

As we entered the second week of the makesense_americas program in Mexico City, the focus intensified on mastering the design thinking process. This week was dedicated to developing detailed user personas and customer journey maps for Huerto Roma Verde. These tools are pivotal for empathizing with our users, understanding their needs, and envisioning their interactions with the service from start to finish. By meticulously crafting these personas, we began to see the world through the eyes of the community, ensuring our solutions are not only innovative but genuinely needed.

Cultivating Teamwork and Leadership Skills

This week also served as a crucible for developing essential leadership and teamwork skills. Engaging with a diverse group of local volunteers, I worked on coordinating efforts and fostering a collaborative environment. This task required a delicate balance of leadership and diplomacy, as I learned to navigate and integrate different viewpoints and work styles towards a common goal. These experiences were instrumental in enhancing my abilities to communicate effectively, manage time, and resolve conflicts—skills that are invaluable in any professional setting.

Exploring History at the National Museum of Anthropology

A visit to the National Museum of Anthropology offered a profound insight into the civilizations that shaped Mexico. The museum, one of the most important of its kind, houses extensive artifacts from the Mayan, Aztec, and Teotihuacan cultures, offering a glimpse into their advanced societal structures, cosmologies, and artistic achievements. Learning about the Aztecs’ sophisticated urban planning and the Mayans' deep astronomical knowledge not only enriched my understanding of these ancient people but also highlighted the ingenuity and resilience of indigenous cultures, providing context to the ongoing cultural practices and community ethos we engage with at Huerto Roma Verde.

Finding Inspiration at the Frida Kahlo Museum

The week was further enriched by an emotionally resonant visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum. Housed in "La Casa Azul," the very building where Kahlo was born and passed away, the museum is a deeply personal space that reflects her life and work. Kahlo's art and personal artifacts, imbued with her pain and passion, illustrate her profound impact on the world of art and beyond. Her famous quote, "Feet, what do I need them for when I have wings to fly," vividly captures her spirit of resilience and independence. This sentiment has been a beacon of inspiration as I navigate the complexities and challenges of working in a multicultural team and adapting to a new environment.

Reflections and Anticipations

Reflecting on this week, I am amazed at the depth of growth and learning I have experienced in such a short time. The skills I am developing here extend beyond the technical aspects of design thinking; they are about understanding human connections and cultural depth, which are just as vital. As I look forward to the next weeks, I am eager to apply these insights and continue contributing meaningful and sustainable solutions to the communities we serve.

Keep following along as I further explore the transformative experiences and community impacts here in Mexico City, continually growing and learning every step of the way.