ABC Project

This week, our organization visit focused on the ABC project in Bello, which is a city north of Medellín. The ABC project supports families with children who have disabilities and no access to schooling. Lulu, leader of the ABC project, delivers teaching directly to these children in their homes. Experiencing the journey to these homes firsthand, we quickly understood the challenges. The steepness and lack of infrastructure made it incredibly difficult to navigate the terrain.

Our first visit was to teach a young girl named Lucy. One of the first things we learned was about the scarring on her neck and chest from a fall due to the rocky terrain. This highlighted not only the travel risks but also the stark lack of accessibility in the area. Despite these challenges, Lucy's positivity was infectious. She reminded me so much of my younger sister, full of personality and unafraid to express herself. It was a poignant reminder of how different life can be due to varying circumstances.

Bello has only one school for all age groups, but it mostly accommodates older children and does not accept those with disabilities due to a lack of resources. On our way up the mountain, Lulu and Oscar from Sueños showed us the foundations of what was intended to be a school, started through international fundraising but abandoned due to halted donations. This below shows the remains.

The geography of Bello significantly impacts its political and social dynamics. Despite being considered a city, it is much smaller than Medellín and borders it directly. The valley is urbanized, similar to Medellín, but the higher up the mountain you go, the more evident the economic divide becomes. There is little to no governmental support, leaving the community to rely on itself or sporadic international volunteer initiatives.

The second household we visited had three children: a 3-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 15-year-old who is the primary caretaker. The 8-year-old, Allie, was in a motorcycle accident, causing paralysis and mental disabilities. She cannot walk down the mountain, and cannot have access to schooling. The caretaker, the 15-year-old, leaves the children in the care of a neighbour in the afternoon to make the walk to school however even this is complicated and she cannot always go. Their mother works far away, visiting only every two to three months. Despite their circumstances, the resilience and positivity of these three young girls were astounding.

The care that Sueños y Huellas puts into delivering education is impressive. We were extremely grateful to be invited into this space, providing us with deep introspection into the complexities of social issues not only in Medellín but also in its surrounding areas.

Visiting Casa Tres Patios (C3P):

This week, we had the opportunity to visit Casa Tres Patios an organization connected to the Laidlaw Scholars projects. They collaborate with Sueños y Huellas, providing art classes and opportunities to adolescents who have aged out of Sueños' care.

C3P combines art and social justice to address several sustainable development goals such as tackling poverty, reducing inequalities, fostering peace and enhancing local citizenship. C3P has a long history of incredible work, primarily focusing on young people, ex-pats, and those in prison, using art as a vehicle for social change. If you would like to learn more I would highly recommend reading about it here. It was enlightening to learn about their initiatives, and we participated in self-reflective workshops.

One workshop involved writing down a question, which was then given to another person to answer through art or writing, using three random words for inspiration. The question I responded to was, "What is my purpose here?" and my words were "waterfall," "stone," and "cocoon." I wrote a short poem and drew a picture to accompany it.

In a city where the mountains breathe,
I find my place, a purpose to weave.
Amidst the rush, where stories unfold,
I am the cocoon, waterfall, and stone.

So, what am I doing here, you see?
Unfolding, flowing, standing free.
A cocoon, waterfall, and stone entwined,
In Medellín's heart, my path defined.

I also received an answer to my question, "How can we work together?" presented as a diagram with the text, "We are all fragments of water and soap, in a metamorphosis of becoming a perfect bubble, with the ideal amount of each ingredient."

Sharing our questions and answers was a heartwarming experience, sparking introspective discussions on the use of art. It was incredibly fun for me, as I love drawing and painting, even though I don't do it much anymore it is still something close to my heart! 

Mental Check-In: Navigating Emotional Rollercoasters

This week has been about balancing the need to power through our project and the LIA experience, as well as respecting my own limits. This week has been quite vulnerable emotionally, I found myself opening up more about how I was feeling which helped significantly. Mental health awareness is something I am very passionate about so trying to stay true to that and being open when you are struggling is extremely important, not only to normalise these issues but also for the benefit of others - to remain accountable to your team and your abilities for them. 

Our project took a 180-degree turn as we reworked our original proposal based on discussions with Sueños y Huellas. This was frustrating but also a vital learning experience in managing expectations and understanding what is achievable within a limited timeframe. Our project management skills were put to the test as we devised a new proposal, despite being over alfway through our LIA and nearing our final deliverables.

The next two weeks will be a test of our ability to finalize this project and hopefully present something valuable to the organization. My feelings about the project are complex and ever-changing, but I am deeply grateful for everything it has taught me—about myself, teamwork, complex social issues, and the joy it has brought.

Weekend escape to Guatapé

This weekend, my fellow Laidlaw Scholars and I traveled to Guatapé, a tourist hotspot about two hours from Medellín. Hopping onto a bus early Saturday morning we were all extremely excited. The trip was a fantastic bonding experience, filled with (albeit dodgy) kayaking on Guatapé’s lakes, exploring the picturesque town, and enjoying the natural beauty around our Airbnb. It was a relaxing and much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of Medellín.

As we get close to wrapping up our LIA project, I've realized just how important it is to take breaks and connect with each other. These moments recharge us and give us the energy to tackle what's next. This week has been a mix of learning a lot, growing emotionally, and having some fun adventures—definitely an unforgettable part of this journey.