Week 4: Work, work, work, and life?

During the reflection time for this week, we were given the chance to draw a Tarot card for inspiration. For me, the card that surfaced was the Chariot. As I was told, this card symbolizes progress, determination, and striding forward with a sense of alignment. However, it also speaks of being torn between two worlds, a theme that resonated deeply with me — the struggle to find a balance between work and life.

This week was indeed a rollercoaster ride, with its end marked by fun moments like celebrating my birthday with a trip to Guatapé. While looking forward to the festivities, I couldn't shake off the anxiousness of falling behind in my work responsibilities and the constant time pressure looming over me. During the first part of the week, I dived into the research on potential funding sources for Sueños y Huellas, the non-profit organization we are working with to empower children and young women living in challenging circumstances, including exposure to problems such as drug trafficking and sexual abuse. I also got to spend some quality time with volunteers supporting our team, to assist my teammate in coordinating voluntary teaching and sharing activities in the organization. It was an incredible experience to have extensive conversations with each volunteer. As we exchanged personal stories and aspirations, I felt immensely content in getting to know more about their backgrounds and getting a glimpse of what life looks like for people our age in the local community.

Towards the end of the week, my teammates and I had a deeply impactful experience by joining the ABC project run by Suenos y Huellas. This initiative is dedicated to providing free education to children with physical or mental disabilities who live in the mountainous regions where two cities — Medellín and Bello — converge. Situated within the territory of two municipalities, this neighborhood struggles with neglect from both governments, as they choose not to intervene. As a result, the area lacks proper infrastructure and is dotted with makeshift, illegal housing built by displaced individuals. Amidst the scarce resources and the steep terrain, these children, already burdened by their disabilities, face significant barriers to accessing education. Despite financial and manpower constraints, the organization manages to provide each child with two brief tutoring sessions per week. While I am impressed and grateful for what the organization does for these children, this encounter has stirred a sense of motivation within me, propelling me to create a more lasting and meaningful impact for the children.

As my birthday crept closer, a significant part of my days was dedicated to drafting and revising a proposal for a crowdfunding campaign for the organization. This was a process that involved drastic changes and constant amendments,, which kept me on my toes. Following discussions with the organization, we were tasked with arranging a fundraising event that would occur locally, while aiming to attract donations globally. This direction deviated from the initial plan we had imagined — crowdfunding through online partnerships with institutions and platforms. Yet, as the week progressed, it became apparent that we had to pivot to align with the organization’s vision. We tried to come up with several event possibilities that could involve as many individuals within the organization as possible, including the kids, the young women, and the staff. The operational aspect was a lot to consider: selecting a venue, managing the budget, setting up a ticketing procedure, promoting the event, and devising strategies to engage both in-person and virtual participants. It was quite a headache trying to cover all these bases.

I have to admit that emotionally, this week has also been a rollercoaster. I started out feeling unsure and doubting my abilities. I kept wondering why others would trust me with tasks that I have no prior experience in, and how I could navigate the changing demands. At the start of the project, seeking reassurance from my more experienced teammates was a habit, as I constantly looked for validation that I was on the right track. But as I became more aware of this recurring pattern while diving deeper into the project, I began to see a different side of myself. I realized that with hard work and thorough research, I could still make some achievements despite the initial lack of knowledge. I began to recognize my capacity to explore new tasks and new paths in life. As I practiced stepping up and being more responsible for the team’s progress, the support and encouragement from my teammate Echo also played a significant role in boosting my confidence. I found myself more comfortable with making decisions with the team and for the team, as I began to embrace the unknown as an opportunity for learning and experimenting. While the initial insecurities and the worry that this event might eventually fall apart still linger in the back of my mind, I became less afraid of making mistakes. On Friday morning, it became clear that the first draft of the proposal was falling short, as the activity I had in mind could easily exceed the budget. To sort things out, I tried my best to write up a second draft within the same day. In the midst of it all, I was relieved to find myself sending out the revised proposal 10 minutes before my birthday cake showed up. Big shoutout to my teammate Sebastian for stepping up to organize the trip and the celebration. It just reminded me of how much a break from work is needed!

As I wrap up this week in the beautiful town called Guatapé, I am very thankful for the shared experience and wonderful memories created with my fellow scholars. Reflecting on our time together, the Chariot card's message about determination, alignment, and striking a balance between work and life just resonates on a deeper level.

Special thanks to Oliver for capturing this beautiful moment and for being such a supportive coach. Thanks for ensuring I made it back to shore in one piece from my first kayaking-turned-canoeing attempt!

Week 5: Finding a balance

The hectic schedule of the previous week got me thinking about what work really meant to me. Since I was a kid, the results of my efforts have shaped how I see myself, and my sense of capability. Having a strong work ethic and being reliable with tasks have become my core values and an important part of my identity. But sometimes, I struggle with feeling guilty when I take a break or feel like I'm not being productive enough. It becomes hard to enjoy work in moments when the pursuit of external expectations overshadows the crucial need for introspection. The imbalance in this process often leads to the neglect of my own well-being.

So I kept asking myself — what truly defines work and its significance in the grand scheme of life? Is work the cornerstone upon which our identities are built, or is it merely a piece of the puzzle that contributes to our sense of self?

While waiting for feedback and responses from work, I made a conscious decision to step back and spend some time focusing on myself, learning what I really need. During this period, I embraced activities that resonated with my inner self. I made sure to catch up on some much-needed sleep, made a leisurely grocery shopping trip, and meditated when I had time during the day. I also visited my favorite place in the university several times — the tranquil waters of the university swimming pool indeed provided a refreshing escape from the heat of the city. These seemingly small acts of self-care not only revitalized me but also highlighted the importance of tuning into my own physical and emotional needs. Having had enough rest, I found myself brimming with energy and enthusiasm, and had a wonderful night out connecting with friends on a deeper level.

Understanding and experiencing personally that it's okay to rest and not be productive all the time was transformative for me. Taking this break prepared me for a deeper delve into work as the week progresses, especially as we near the crunch time for the upcoming crowdfunding event. I found myself more energized and self-aware. This shift in mindset not only empowered me to be in a better state, for myself and others around me. This newfound balance has set the stage for me, to tackle the challenges ahead with a sense of purpose and clarity.

Week 6: Coming to an end

As the final week of this trip unfolded, anticipation built around the fundraising event — the Sueños Festival. Partnering with five passionate volunteers from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), we designed and hosted teaching and cooking activities tailored for children aged 5-11. The event was not only aimed at fundraising but also at nurturing a sense of community amongst the participants. To add excitement, we concluded the event with a trivia party, allowing the kids to learn more about the organization, the country, and the city they call home. The event was held in a hybrid format, where participants could be either in-person or virtual spectators. To raise awareness about the organization’s impactful work, we live-streamed the entire event on YouTube to reach a broader audience. It was a dynamic and heartwarming experience to connect with a wider audience and to share the positive initiatives we are involved in.

Despite facing time constraints due to communication challenges and delays, we managed to kick off the promotional phase just a day before the event. In a whirlwind of activity, I dedicated my efforts to setting up a seamless live-stream on YouTube, drafting compelling event and organization descriptions for promotional use, and establishing profiles on crowdfunding platforms to amplify our impact. The thrill of experimenting with public live-streaming during a community gathering, attracting 91 viewers, highlighted the power of digital engagement in our modern world. For me, while the 91 viewers may not have immediately translated into a financial boost for the organization, it marked a promising beginning — the potential for this event to become a template for the organization to reiterate and expand on.

I am very thankful for the volunteers who played a crucial role in making the event a success. Without their commitment, enthusiasm, and willingness to communicate their ideas, we could not have hosted such engaging activities for the children. It brings me joy to have provided them with an opportunity to gain teaching experience and see them enjoy their time with the children. It was truly a rewarding experience to see the kids being overjoyed while learning through experiments and games. As the curtains draw on this leadership program, the Sueños Festival stands out as a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and resilience in our collective efforts.

On a personal level, working in a diverse environment abroad has increased my awareness of cultural nuances. Lately, my chats with fellow scholars have revolved around how differently we approach work and react to life situations. For instance, we have been discussing about how some cultures lean more towards being task-focused (all about efficiency) while others are more people-oriented (big on building connections). It occurs to me that while being appreciative of what others bring to the table, it is equally important to recognize and build on our strengths. This experience has given me a fresh outlook on how I can be more flexible in all sorts of life scenarios.

Participating in this program has also reshaped my understanding of leadership. I used to equate leadership with making a tangible impact, but now I see it as being the agent of change. Being an agent of change is more about pioneering, embracing challenges, and refining approaches for the common good. It is about the mindset and the journey, not just the outcomes. Meaningful leadership goes beyond metrics; to bringing sustainable benefits and hopes for a better future.

I am immensely grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for providing this opportunity, to make_sense for facilitating the activities and making it a more impactful journey, and to my fellow Laidlaw scholars, who have made the journey all the more memorable.