Previous volunteers
Here are a sample of experiences from previous volunteers at the Colombia project.
(names of children have been changed for their protection).
This was my 2nd Globalteer volunteer trip. Colombia is an amazing place. Our first day with the kids at Antorches, we took 13 kids to the zoo. Some had never been before. We bonded with these kids and were able to discuss English names of the animals. This set the pace for the week to come. We taught English in small groups, which varied by age. The kids were very receptive and loved to learn. We read stories, used flash cards, drew pictures and labeled the pictures with English names. I know that we made a huge impact on the kids, and they made a huge impact on us too.
Daily, we would walk a group of kids to school and take a group home. When they got out of school, they would run up to us shouting, "tio, tio." They were so happy to be greeted and on the walks home, I would ask, "what did you learn today?"
The house where these kids stayed, Antorches, was filled with love, hugs and friendship. While there were so many different personalities, the underlying value was love. This is one truly rewarding way to spend a holiday.
Neil, USA
My experience with Globalteer was totally amazing. I was assigned to teach English and Art to the kids. Interacting with these kids was one of the most wonderful experiences in my life. We had several groups of kids each day. As we were teaching them English,
they were teaching me Spanish! It was really fun. The last day, we had art class, which I loved. We did Origami, to our surprise the little kids really got really involved. Overall, these kids are fun, smart and hopeful. I would definately love to come back and say "hi" again.
Richie, USA
Ceilidh dancing in Colombia
May 2009 by Shoena Payne
"Though the overall security situation in Colombia has improved considerably in recent years, the threat of terrorism is still high in many parts of the country."
Reading the official line on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website the day before leaving made me anxious. Too late. My leave, flights and accommodation were all booked - no going back now. And anyway, why should something like the risk of being mugged, or even kidnapped by guerrillas, stop me from fulfilling a long held dream to volunteer with kids in Colombia?
Usually a confident traveller, my nerves really kicked in when I arrived at Medellín airport, alone and at night. The fact that heavily armed police lined the road into the city hardly helped.
However, walking around the city the following day, my fears quickly evaporated, and I stopped clutching my bag after about two minutes. The locals were disarmingly open and friendly, and keen to explain that the vast majority of Colombians are law abiding and respectable. Strangers in the street, unused to seeing many Europeans, asked what my friends and family thought about me coming to Colombia, and what their impression of Colombia was. They're painfully aware of their bad press.
Now comfortable and familiar with my surroundings, I started work at the day centres. Colombian pupils go to school either in the morning or in the afternoon, leaving disadvantaged children vulnerable for half the day with no one to care for them. Living with their families in cramped, run down accommodation, these children are also exposed to the temptations and dangers of the city streets. Local university students wanted to address this issue, and set up two day centres.
The day centres, located in the heart of the city and high up the mountainside, provide a safe haven and are run by dedicated and caring co-ordinators who organise activities and teach kids about respect, hygiene and the value of education. They are supported by volunteer psychologists, nurses and social workers, as well as supermarkets, which provide enough food to ensure that each child has at least one square meal a day.
With the day centres closed for holidays, I spent Easter week at an orphanage, which has been set up by a local lady. Usually packed to the brim with 70 youngsters, the majority had returned home to their families (there are few actual orphans, rather children whose parents are unable, or unwilling, to look after them). We looked after the 15 or so who remained, taking them on day trips and running themed sessions and workshops.
Overseas volunteers play an important role in widening the kids' horizons, raising their awareness of the world beyond the Andes by giving them an insight into different cultures, customs and traditions. As well as teaching English and organising sports and crafts, we explained how we celebrate Easter in Europe, and organised egg painting and an egg hunt, much to the amusement of the locals.
Colombia was one of the most incredible countries I have visited. Beautiful colonial cities, colourful buses, fruit stalls everywhere you look and impressive countryside make for a varied and fascinating experience. But it was the people who made the most impact.
And hopefully my tales of Loch Ness Monsters, horned, hairy cows and skirt wearing men still linger...and those Ceilidh dances haven't quite been forgotten!
You can read the full independant blog at:
http://www.maximillion.co.uk/blog/543_ceilidh-dancing-in-colombia
Shoena Payne, Scotland
I arrived in Medellin, Colombia in January with the intention of spending three months working with Globalteer on the project. When I first arrived, I had all these thoughts in my head, "Was the country safe?" being the main one and of course my family were quite concerned also. As soon as I arrived in New York airport, in transit, I met the most welcoming Colombian family who were catching the same flight as me on to Medellin. They were so happy that a tourist was coming to their country and they insisted that I get a lift with them from the airport to the black sheep hostel where I was to be staying. They very nearly gave me Colombian pesos because they were concerned that I only had $US dollars on me. I ended up hanging out with one of the sons of the family and he took me all around the city and out to the country to coffee region and that is the real Colombia, fantastic, warm and welcoming people.
The city of Medellin is fantastic. It's a great place for young people and outside of the project hours, there are plenty of fun things to do and great places to visit which you would have time for.
I was lucky enough to meet Jim on arrival at the hostel. He was staying in Medellin sorting things out in Colombia as the project had only just started up. He gave me my orientation and the next day, I headed down to Antorchas , which is an orphanage which houses 69 children, between the ages of 2/17, boys and girls. I only spoke very basic Spanish at this point but the kids were just great.
We spent the first few days, hanging out with the kids and shopping for materials, games, paper, stationary, with the view of starting up English classes for the children. We then sorted the children out into groups and started the classes which were great. All of the kids were really keen to learn unlike they would be here in England. The couple who started up the orphanage have got a dream of the children having the opportunity to go to University some day and as the city of Medellin is turning around and becoming bilingual, it is us that are giving the opportunity to do that.
I had a fantastic 3 months working with the staff and children at the orphanage and will miss them all alot but I hope to visit them all again next year, when maybe they will be able to converse with me in English??
I spent my last few weeks in Colombia on the Caribbean coast which was just beautiful. You would be totally surprised by the amount of backpackers travelling in the country and yes, it is safe to travel by night buses overland.
Cat, British
Thankyou very much for giving me the opportunity to work at Antorchas, I enjoyed every minute of it and I have never seen children with so much love to give. It was lovely to see how happy they are at the orphanage, and how everyone seems to work like one huge family. The kids all look out for each other and the older ones often go out of their way to take care of the little ones. The staff have done everything they can to provide a happy and loving home for these children at Antorchas. They have provided them with many opportunities and a new hope for the future that without this project would never have seemed possible.
Thanks again,
Helen, British
Volunteering with Globalteer in Colombia has been one of my most rewarding and thought provoking experiences. Globalteer gave me a chance to see how Colombian people work hard to improve the lives of children living in poverty and enabled me to play a small part in that process.
Claire, British
During the summer of 2009, I spent five fabulous weeks in COLOMBIA! I stayed at my native girlfriends house in Medellin for the most part, whilst also travelling across the lush and plant-filled landscapes and trying as best as I could to immerse myself in a completely new, and rather wild environment.
One way in which I thought I could get to know people from in and around
Medellin was through volunteering. Globalteer was one of the first
projects I found searching online for ideas before the summer began.
Although working with these children sounded challenging, I thought it
could be a worthwhile experience, for both myself and the children.
For about a week and half, I worked at Antorchas, not long after I arrived in Colombia. My Spanish was (and still is) pretty basic, but enough to communicate and get the message across. I was rather nervous on my first day, unsure of my role to play in the orphanage, although my nerves quickly passed after an hour or so. What I came across was a warm and welcoming environment, with children coming and going to school, and
immediately I felt at home. The children I met throughout my time were very open to me, and although they often spoke rather fast and all at once, I felt that we had found a common ground by teaching each other our mother tongue and enjoy each others company. Whilst the English lessons I slowly put together and took part in were sometimes difficult and the children distracted, I think I managed to teach them some basic phrases and give them a chance at a productive future. The most enjoyable part of
the experience for me was simply spending quality time with the children; coming into their space when appropriate, talking, playing games, sharing ideas or thoughts and so forth. That time for me is often where most of the learning can be achieved. In a way, I wish I had stayed for longer, and if I do come back to Colombia next year, I am sure I will come back to Antorchas to a crowd of beaming smiles!
My advice to you if you are thinking of signing up for Globalteer...
dont hesitate, go for it! Just remember to learn a bit of Spanish as it will help you tenfold!
Tom, 21, UK
The reputation of Colombia in the UK is still of an extremely dangerous and hostile environment. People I spoke to before leaving always said - "How brave/why on earth are you going to Colombia?/it is so dangerous there?Aren't you scared? "etc. Because my husband visits Colombia regularly 2-3 times a year/does business there and had good friends there I know that the situation today is very different. It is much safer than the popular view in UK (and much safer than even Colombians imply). This is particularly true in Medellin and Antioquia. Potential volunteers should be informed about current security there - I felt totally happy travelling with a fellow volunteer to Jerico by bus and taking advice from people at the Hostel.
I like the Globalteer philosophy, the way in which money is spent/distributed and obvious care for local customs/conditions etc.
During the school holidays, at my placement, you had to think on your feet and be prepared to be totally flexible - but the kids were fantastic, resources and support provided were excellent and I had a wonderful time. Medellin in a lovely City in which to work and from which to explore parts of Colombia at weekends - and I felt totally safe there all the time.
The experience of volunteering abroad was wonderful for me - not only the placement but also the opportunity to live and work in another City/country and practice another language. The children are used to short term volunteers coming and going (which is good, makes it easier for volunteers and kids alike). They certainly appreciate volunteers when they are there and we all had good times together. From my point of view, the project, the placement and the service provided by Globalteer were perfect and exactly fitted my needs - so it was good value.
Will certainly recommend to friends.
Maggie, UK
Honestly my favourite place in the world now. Colombia is such a great place. Its funny I remember seeing somewhere that the only risk in Colombia is that you won't want to leave. Its very true. I will be making many return trips to Medellin in particular. The people are in all honesty the nicest people I've met. My brother and I had to buy new clothes their while our others were being cleaned and so when we went to the mall I ended up seeing an Adidas and said they should have some good clothes.
When I finally found the right clothes and we got up to the counter, I was very sad to find out that the price of the clothes was going to end up being about 290.600 pesos. When we told the guy we didn't have enough for that and were looking for something cheaper he actually took us around the mall looking for a different store that I could buy clothes from. And he actually stayed and made sure I was happy with my clothes. And then he helped us find another place to buy souvenirs. This is just one example of the many nice people we met in Colombia.
Also the first night we were there we already made friends that we ended up going out with for the rest of the time. Lastly the kids at Antorchas were the greatest. It was very very hard to leave.
Joshua, Canada