June 1, 2014

Situated in a narrow valley, Medellín is the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province. Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its temperate weather, Medellín was however once better known as the most violent city in the world. As a result of the years-long conflict between the government and the drug cartels, people were displaced to shanty towns up in the mountains on the outskirts of the city.

For a couple of months I had the chance to work in one of these barrios alongside with Marcos, who runs a foundation named Angeles de Medellín. Marcos and his volunteers help the poor and displaced families, teach English to adults, and give kids the opportunity to use computers and play games in a safe environment.

Working at Angeles de Medellín showed me the real Latin America, from shocking stories and social problems to the overwhelming passion and friendliness of Colombians. It showed me people really eager to learn and grateful to their teachers. It showed me kids of all colors skipping the rope together in harmony.

Marcos is always looking for volunteers. All he asks is a very small donation, and you can join his community center for one day, one week, or whatever works best for you. Contact him if you wish to leave an impact on kids who would otherwise probably never meet a foreigner. You will certainly have fun and experience South America at its most authentic.