So two months in to my 6 month stay! I realise it is cliché to say it but time really is flying by! I first flew in to the capital of Colombia; Bogota and stayed there for two weeks for my language lessons. I felt it was a really nice way to begin the experience here as ICYE had organised an on arrival camp, which meant all the newbies could meet volunteers who had already been there for six months, hear about their experiences and alleviate some of our concerns!
The Spanish classes that were organised were also useful, there is only so much you can learn in 30 hours but it covered all the basics and gave you the confidence to start practicing with Colombian people. Although my Spanish is still muy mal!
After those two weeks in Bogota I flew to Cartagena and began my project. I found out just before I left Bogota that the project coordinator had recently moved out so I would be living alone in the flat. To be honest I was quite disappointed about this as I am not used to living alone, and to live somewhere where I dont know the language very well was rather daunting!
However it has worked out well, and I cant complain as I do have a sea view! The director of my project comes and stays at the flat 5 days every month, and after hearing about some peoples experiences with their host families at the camp I am quite happy to have my own space as Colombian families can be very overprotective, especially of girls!
Now to the project! The more I learn about Fundacion Renacer, the more lucky I feel to be a part of such important work. In Cartagena the work is divided into two areas:
Prevention.
The prevention side is partly funded by UNICEF and focuses on signing up hotels and tourist operators to the code of conduct (for the prevention of sexual tourism), as well as teaching children their rights and educating them on sexual protection.
Rehabilitation of the sexual exploitation of children.
The rehabilitation side is at the Hogar (home) just outside of Cartagena where children escaping sexual tourism can come and live, receive education, therapy and a safe secure place to stay and heal. The children can stay there for as long as is necessary.
My role in the project is pretty limited as my Spanish is still very basic (I am learning more but it is very difficult here on the coast as people talk very, very quickly!) However, I visit the home twice a week to deliver English classes or do various arts and crafts with the kids i.e. making bracelets etc. The other days I work in the office helping out with whatever is required and teaching English to the kids who drop in from time to time. On Saturdays I work in the morning at the beach with some university students and we do various workshops, for example theatre, painting etc as well as teaching them about their rights.
I really am enjoying the project although I am not sure how useful I am! But I think the most important thing is showing these children that someone cares, so that is what I am trying to do. Despite all of their problems the children are very welcoming to me and it is a pleasure to teach them.
Aside from that it has been a bit difficult to find people to socialise with outside the project as again my Spanish is limited, and none of the other volunteers are here, the majority are based in Bogota a 24 hour bus journey away! At first I was quite resentful of ICYE for sticking me on my own like this, but I think it is the best thing for me as I HAVE to practice Spanish and am meeting people through my work and also the Spanish lessons that I take on my free days.also there are always people travelling through so it is nice to meet so many different people all the time.
It has been difficult at times, with the differences in culture. One thing that really does bother me is that the men are really forward here and dont seem to understand that no means no, its not threatening at all but very frustrating to not be able to walk anywhere without cars beeping and men shouting at you, just because you look different to other women here!
But overall, I am really enjoying the experience and just want to get as much out of it as possible. Only 4 months left!!
