Goals for this experience

It's my first morning waking up here in Bogota.  I arrived at El Dorado airport and was at the baggage claim by 4:45 PM yesterday afternoon.  I got a little nervous because my phone was ready to die, I didn't have a place to charge it and I couldn't figure out how to contact Andrea (she picked me up and drove me to Miryam's house) because my phone had no service, I didn't have her Skype name saved and I had typed in her phone number incorrectly so I couldn't find her on WhatsApp.  Talk about mini-nervous breakdown in my mind.  It all worked out and the phone didn't die until I got into her car - phewwww!  TENGO SUERTE!!

I slept well although probably not enough.  It's hard to stay in bed with my mind so full of ideas and anticipation.

So, before things really take off here, I want to make my goals for this experience more concrete.  Rather than just typing them out, I've decided to post my first video (excuse any errors please) from my host mom's living room.  Enjoy!

What do you think of when you think about Colombia?

I'm in the unique position of having been born in Colombia, but raised in the U.S. since I was 3 months old.  So, throughout my life, I've heard the opinions of nearly everyone I've been in contact with regarding Colombia.  Unfortunately, most of it has been negative...well, until about 5 years ago.

In 2008, I began my career with ESL (English as a Second Language) adults from around the world.  It turns out that those in other countries typically, although not always, have a more positive view of Colombia.  From them, I've heard how kind and generous the people of Colombia tend to be whereas those from the U.S. overwhelmingly believe Colombia is a place of drugs, violence, conflict and kidnapping.  Just the other night, my close friends asked me if I'd have a chaperone for my entire stay.  When I replied no, they were visibly uncomfortable and made jokes about how I must blog, email or FB daily so they'll know I haven't been killed or kidnapped.

They're not alone.  Each time a new friend, co-worker, acquaintance or classmate learns I'm from Colombia, they inevitably mention one of 2 names, if not both: Juan Valdez and Pablo Escobar.  QUE LASTIMA!  That seems terribly sad to me...such a beautiful country with so much to offer and it's been reduced to coffee and cocaine in the American mindset, as well as many others.

Colombia is well aware of their problematic reputation; it's why this program exists.  My favorite of their steps toward building a better international image is their slogan: 

In my opinion, it is more wishful thinking than truth at this point, but I do believe it will become a reality in the near future and I'd like to know I was a small cog in that wheel of change.  That's one of the many reasons I'm here.

Experience of a lifetime: The Beginning

Here goes - my first blog - before I embark on the Ambassadors for Prosperity Program in Bogota, Colombia, they've asked me to reflect on a few things, beginning with why I signed up.

I was adopted from FANA (Bogota, Colombia) in 1977.  I returned for the first time in October, 2012, anxious to see, hear and learn everything I could about this place which had made life as I know it possible.  Flor Angela, who had been at the orphanage since before my time, was a Godsend. She gave me my original documents, a picture of me at birth, a personalized tour and history of F.A.N.A. and many positive facts about the country of my origin.  She's a beautiful person with a huge heart who believes she was most likely the one who handed me to my parents for the first time. QUE LINDA!  I was blessed to meet with her...but it wasn't enough.  I had waited decades to return and the things I wanted to see the most were the kids and everything related to them.  How do they sleep?  Where do they eat?  Do they go to school here?  Are there uniforms?  Who takes care of them?  DENIED!  There was a measles outbreak which meant all children's areas were off-limits.  Are you kidding me?!?  Where's the hidden camera??

After returning to the States, I was added to FANA's mailing list and that's how I was introduced to this incredible opportunity.  On May 8, 2013, this email header was all I needed to see - COUNT ME IN!

FANA needs volunteers to help in Colombia