My experience in Colombia with the Bucara Voluntours project

While turning 23 years old, I’ve decided to travel to Bucaramanga and take part in a volunteer program. I also wanted to make some tourism, that’s why I’ve chosen Bucara Voluntours as they were offering the perfect mix of what I was looking for (being with kids, learning a new language, traveling and meeting new people and a new culture).

Now that I’m back and after being there for more than 7 weeks, I can just say that I don’t regret that decision and I already want to go back there.

The project itself was so enriching!

Teaching English at “Nuevos Horizontes”

Every Monday we were teaching English in prison at the foundation “Nuevos Horizontes”. Everything they do in that foundation is so impressive and useful. When you go there you get such a warm welcome with a dance show, a tour and a lot of questions. The guys from the English class are so kind and motivated to learn.  

Teaching English at “Capaz”

On Tuesday’s afternoons I had the chance to teach English again but this time with children and teenager. It feels good to be useful while creating some games and activities to help them to learn. And it’s also very nice to discover their neighborhood and everything they do in the foundation “Capaz” during a tour. The founders are so dedicated to their project and their aim to make the kids believe in a better future. The children are also very inspiring.

Playing basketball at “Estructurar”

Every Friday we were playing basketball with the children of the foundation “Estructurar”. It was so nice to feel like a kid again and just enjoy with the children there. These kids were the most warm and curious of all my trip and it was so easy to connect with them through the sport!

Playing football at “Goles Por La Paz”

Finally, on Saturdays and usually on Thursdays too, we were playing football at “Goles For La Paz”. Even if football is not my favorite sport and I’m very bad at it, it was a pleasure to play with the kids (and the small kids for me). But this foundation is not only football, it’s also a lot of fun through the games and some reflexion thanks to the workshops.

The dogs and cats shelter

I also get the opportunity to pet so many cute dogs and cats! The next images talked for themselves ;)

The Spanish classes

In the mornings, I had the opportunity to take some Spanish classes. They were very useful. I came to Colombia without having any skills in Spanish and thanks to the classes I could feel a real evolution. Indeed, I was able to understand most of the conversation and to participate in it. The feeling of being able to connect with the locals was my aim and I’m really proud to say that I achieve this goal. Thank you Bucara Spanish Academy for that!

Food, accommodations and parcs

The food and accommodation were also really nice and comfort! I was sleeping in a share room only for girls and even if I’ve stayed a long time, it was never uncomfortable for me. The hostel also has a nice rooftop, a ping pong table and a good café next to it. All the people I’ve met there made my trip even better with their stories, recommendations and kindness.

For the food, I didn’t cook a lot in the hostel kitchen as the city is full of nice restaurant. I wish I could have stayed more to try them all !

Bucaramanga offers also a lot of beautiful parcs as it’s called the “city of parcs”. Most of my free time, I was walking in “La Flora” or “Los Leones” parcs.

Tourism

The touristic activities proposed by the program are also incredible and they’re a good way to discover more the beautiful region of Santander and also the nice other volunteers you are with. I had the chance to do a lot of them (Paramo de San Turban, Mesa de Los Santos, Paragliding in the Chicamocha canyon and then going to Barichara…) and I’m really glad I get to see the beautiful nature of Colombia.

And much more…

Outside of the “official” program, the Bucara Voluntours’ team always makes sure you do whatever you wanna do. For example, we wanted to dance salsa, then they took us to Calison (a salsa bar) to dance together even if it was a day free. Same with some Tejo game, padel and some food. And thanks to them I get to experience even more some typical activities, games, food…

THANK YOU :)

The people I’ve met through this experience now earned a very special place in my heart and forever and they really make my trip even better.

For all of what I’ve said above I really want to thank the Bucara Voluntours team and I really hope anyone can I have the chance to experience what I’ve lived there. My words are not enough to describe how happy, safe and listened I’ve felt there <3

Maïlys, from Belgium