Part I: Working with Suenos y Huellas

This week has been incredibly productive and fulfilling while working with the organization. We shared our ideas about content creation and promotion strategies, and the feedback has been positive. One of my outputs was creating a poster (see below!) that can be easily shared on various social media platforms and in group chats, enhancing our outreach efforts. Additionally, I set up a Xiaohongshu (a popular Chinese social media) account for Suenos y Huellas. The organizers were thrilled about this initiative, as I am the first Chinese volunteer working with them. This platform will help us reach a broader Asian audience and raise awareness about the organization's mission and activities. 

However, we reflected on how to make our strategies more sustainable, ensuring the organization can continue these initiatives after we have left Medellin. We shifted our mindset from focusing on how many "fish" we could bring to how many "fishing skills" we could help develop.

Our Laidlaw scholars also organized several activities for the children. The kids welcomed us with hugs and smiles. One of the most touching moments was during a session where we let the children draw a picture of what Suenos y Huellas means to them. Seeing their heartfelt drawings was incredibly moving and meaningful, as it visualized the impact our assistance to the organization has on these young lives.

Part II: Meeting with Volunteers

We organized a picnic at UPB, which turned out to be a delightful experience. Many of the volunteers are learning both English and Spanish and are passionate about working with children. Some of them live quite far away but are still eager to participate, which speaks volumes about their dedication. The dynamic among the volunteers is positive and encouraging.

Part III: Cultural Exchange

The cultural exchange aspect of this experience has been eye-opening. In East Asia, people often maintain a certain body distance from strangers and even family members; it’s rare to express affection openly, such as hugging or saying "I love you." Here, however, people are incredibly outgoing, friendly, and welcoming. It’s common for people to hug and kiss each other on the cheek, and I find this flow of emotion very refreshing and heartwarming.

Overall, this week has been a blend of productive work, meaningful volunteer interactions, and rich cultural exchanges. I'm looking forward to what the coming weeks will bring.