The second week of my make_sense LIA project in Medellín has been a refreshing whirlwind of hands-on activities, cultural exchanges, and invaluable learning experiences. This week felt like diving headfirst into the heart of our mission, leaving behind the theoretical frameworks of our initial days and embracing the practical challenges of our work.

Cultural Fair at UPB

One of the week's highlights was the cultural fair at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB). This event provided a vibrant platform to share our cultural practices with Colombian students and discuss the various volunteering programs offered through make_sense's reaction projects. I hosted a stand about the UK with @Oliver Righton, and it was an success! Engaging with students, answering their questions, and sharing insights about British culture was fulfilling as UPB students were eager to share their own culture back.

The fair was not just about cultural exchange; it was also a critical step in preparing for next week's onboarding of student volunteers onto our projects. Having the perspectives of local students will be invaluable in designing solutions that are deeply rooted in the community's needs and realities. Their insights will help us tailor our strategies to be more effective and sustainable.

Exploring Picacho Con Futuro

Our visit to Picacho Con Futuro was another remarkable experience. Although other Laidlaw Scholars support this organization, it was enlightening to witness their work firsthand. Picacho, located near the famous El Cristo de Picacho monument, offers a breathtaking tour up the mountain. We learned about the area's history, poetry, and geography, all while soaking in the stunning landscapes.

At Picacho Con Futuro, we split into pairs to deliver sessions aimed at teaching and engaging the children who visit the organization. @Pui Yan Lee Michelle and I focused on a drawing and communications-based activity, using a Pictionary-like game to facilitate language exchange between English and Spanish. Despite preparing translations in advance, the language barrier presented more challenges than anticipated. Communicating with large groups in a language I'm not fluent in proved difficult, and maintaining conversations was harder than expected.

Walking away from the activity, I felt a bit dejected, realizing that my lack of language proficiency impacted my ability to carry out the task effectively. However, this experience has fueled my determination to improve my Spanish skills. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the struggles faced by those unfamiliar with a language and the potential isolation it can cause. This newfound perspective is a valuable lesson, underscoring the importance of language in fostering connection and understanding.

Progress with Sueños y Huellas

Our project with Sueños y Huellas is making significant progress. We have been working diligently to establish our project plan and liaise our initial concepts with the organization. Given the complexity of the problem, we decided to take a multi-solution approach. Sueños y Huellas tasked us with exploring sustainable funding options, providing us with the scope to venture into different areas.

Two of our main focuses are fostering international partnerships with organizations and businesses and growing Sueños y Huellas' Transformation project, an international volunteering program. These tasks are varied, allowing us to utilize our skills as a team and individually in numerous ways. I'm incredibly fortunate to be working with @Pui Yan Lee Michelle and @Echo Yongqi Luo, who are intelligent, and hardworking, and are some of the best people to work with.