A World We Dare To Imagine (Part 3)

Crecer Soñando

An organization that seeks to create spaces for children coming from vulnerable situations, where they can have access to quality education, healthy food, and are able exploit their imagination and creativity trough the arts.

Mission: To offer children the possibility of a better future through quality education, moral values,  good nutrition, and the development of their creativity.

This organization is created with the hope  of serving as a way to keep the youth from being in toxic environments where they are constantly expose to violence, drugs and alcohol by giving them the opportunities to learn, dream, develop their creativity, and be prepared for their future. It is intended to first start in Cali, Colombia with the hopes of expanding to other cities of the country in the future.

A World We Dare To Imagine

When reflecting on the expert from The Blue Sweater and thinking what to write for this post, I could not help to think about my country. After signing a peace treaty last years and at a time of political elections, I don’t see really any improvements but only division among the people. This made me think that in order to start building peace in the country and help change the world, it is important that we start by looking inside and ask ourselves what we can do as individuals to  become the best person we can be, and thus start making changes in the world. I believe the change starts within us, and that in order to help others we need to help ourselves first,. We need know ourselves, and make sure that we are in a good place.  We need to understand the it is ok to be different and that we have to respect on another in order to thrive as a society.

On another thought.  Since high school, I have been part of different organizations that work with children in need. Either coming form low income families or having disabilities. Through these experiences, I realized how gratifying it is to  serve others, and that I enjoy working with children. Thus, one of my goals is to be able to create spaces for children and young people where they can have access to quality education, healthy food,  and are able exploit their imagination and creativity trough the arts.  I see this as a way to keep the youth from  being in environments full of violence, drugs and alcohol by giving them the  opportunities to learn, dream, and be prepared for their future.

Random Post 2

During my 10^th grade in High School I had the opportunity go to Germany as an exchange student and lived there for a year. Coming from a big city in Colombia to a very small town in a different country was very cultural shocking at the beginning. However, I was very lucky to have a loving host family that was very supportive of me. The family consisted in the mom, the dad, two girls, and a boy. With the past of the time, we all became very close.  I had such an incredible experience with them that I now see them as my second family.

This past summer they decided to come to the U.S. for vacation to visit me. We did a 3-week road trip and went to various national parks in California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It was amazing to see each other again after so many years and find out that our relationship was the same. Overall, we had a great time together and it was very hard to say goodbye when it was to time for them to go back to Germany. Luckily, I recently find out that one of my host sisters is coming to live in New York for a year and we are already making plans to meet.

Here are pictures of us in Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon.

Born on Third Base

Reading Born on Third Base has been a very enjoyable and informative experience. Coming from one of the countries with the highest rates of poverty and social inequality in Latin America, this has been a topic of interest for me. However, I never thought about the impact of this problem in the U.S.

One of the chapters that I recall the most was Unequal Opportunity, here Collins talks about three different students in three different circumstances. Here he shows how the one coming from the better economically positioned family has more opportunities to obtain a better job and thus continue growing in comparison to the others. This resonated with me, grounded me, and made think about how privilege I actually am.

I was moved by Collin’s determination and decision to give away his inheritance to help others at such a young age, and he continues to work and educate people on changing the issue of the gab between the wealthy and the poor.  His  story is inspiring and his decision is something that I don’t think many would be willing to do.

La Feria De Cali

“If you smell cane, tobacco, and tar, you are in Cali. My Cali is being decorated for its most popular festivity. There is going to be bullfights and at night party and rumba.  In Cali, you’ll see we know how to celebrate.”  This is the translate lyrics of one of the most emblematic songs of the city I come from. This song by Orquesta Guayacan is called “Oiga, Mire, Vea.” It describes the feelings of the citizens of Cali, preview to the beginning of its most popular festivity, “La Feria de Cali” or “The Cali’s Festival,” which takes place each year from December 25 – 30.

The event was created to stimulate the economy of the city and to bring back the joy to the citizens of Cali after a terrible event that took place in 1956. It was first called “The Cane Fair” in tribute to the product that provided economic development for the region: the sugarcane. Nowadays, the event is not only a tribute to the sugarcane, but also to salsa music.

Some of the events that take place during the festival are the following:

·      Cali Viejo: a parade where the traditions, customs, and values of the city are represented.

·      El Salsodromo: a parade that takes place on December 25 announcing the beginning of “La Feria." Here, attendees can enjoy watching the dancers from the different dance schools of the city showing their moves while performing incredible choreographies in company of some of the most known salsa orchestras.

·      Super Concierto: a concert that starts at sundown and last until sundown, where national and international artist perform.  

·      Bullfights (I do not support them): In the afternoons during the festival many people gather at la plaza (venue where the bullfights take place) to watch some of the world-famous bullfighters that come to the city to perform.

I recommend you to attend this festival at one point on your life. You will get to meet very friendly people, as well as have the opportunity to party all day and night long to the sound of salsa music.