Buenos días, me llamo Caroline. Antes de hacer los documentales con el programa Duke Engage, no sabía mucho de Medellin. Pero todas las personas que he encontrado me enseñó algo importante - las personas de Medellin son amigables, quieren vivir en paz, y protegen su familia y su hogar. El orgullo de ser un Paisa trasciende todo. Esta cultura y amistad es algo que no quiero dejar. Muchas gracias a mis cogestoras de Medellin Solidaria y todas las familias que les entrevisté, especialmente Doña Berta, Doña Gloria, y Don Antonio. Antonio y Gloria, silleteros en Santa Elena, me dijeron que las personas deben crecer con las flores y morir con las flores también. Creo que esta representa el amor profundo por su tierra. Cuando vi el desfile de silleteros, me sentí orgullo de ellos y orgullo de Colombia. Esta es algo que me impactó mucho y que voy a recordar por todo mi vida. Estoy muy agradecida de esta experiencia inolvidable. No sería capaz de hacer nada sin su ayuda. Muchísimas gracias a todos!
Good morning, my name is Caroline. Before creating the documentary videos with the Duke Engage program, I did not know much about Medellin. But, everyone that I have met taught me something important - the people of Medellin are friendly, want to live in peace, and protect their family and their home. The pride of being a "Paisa" (someone from Medellin) transcends everything. This culture and friendship is something that I do not want to leave. Thank you so much to my social workers from Medellin Solidaria and all of the families that I interviewed, especially Berta, Gloria, and Antonio. Antonio and Gloria, people who make "silletas" in Santa Elena, told me that people should grow with the flowers and die with the flowers too. I think that this represents a deep love for their land. When I saw the silletero parade, I was proud of them and proud of Colombia. This is something that impacted me a lot and that I will remember for the rest of my life. I am very thankful for this unforgettable experience. I could not have done anything without all of your help. Thank you so much to everyone!
Good morning, my name is Caroline. Before creating the documentary videos with the Duke Engage program, I did not know much about Medellin. But, everyone that I have met taught me something important - the people of Medellin are friendly, want to live in peace, and protect their family and their home. The pride of being a "Paisa" (someone from Medellin) transcends everything. This culture and friendship is something that I do not want to leave. Thank you so much to my social workers from Medellin Solidaria and all of the families that I interviewed, especially Berta, Gloria, and Antonio. Antonio and Gloria, people who make "silletas" in Santa Elena, told me that people should grow with the flowers and die with the flowers too. I think that this represents a deep love for their land. When I saw the silletero parade, I was proud of them and proud of Colombia. This is something that impacted me a lot and that I will remember for the rest of my life. I am very thankful for this unforgettable experience. I could not have done anything without all of your help. Thank you so much to everyone!
Cesar
Buenos
dias, mi nombre es Cesar Andres Perez Duque. De parte de mis companeros y yo,
queremos darles las gracias a todas las personas presente. Gracias
a Tam y Jota (los directores de DukeEngage Colombia) y a Medellin Solidaria
(especialmente a los cogestores) por hacer este programa posible. Gracias a
nuestras familias adoptivas por mostrarnos tanto cariño. Por ustedes, nos
sentimos como si estuvieramos en nuestra propias casas. Gracias a nuestros
compañeros (los de la Nacional y los de la Duke) por haber hecho estos dos
meses inolvidables. Sin ustedes, no hubieramos salido ni a la esquina. Y, ante
todo, gracias a las familias que entrevistamos por recibirnos en sus hogares y
por contartnos sus historias. Este dia es para ustedes, para que el mundo
escuche sus voces. Tambien quiero darle las gracias a mi familia, la cual es
Paisa. Gracias a mis tios, tias, y primos por el amor y el apoyo que me han
dado. Gracias a mi mama por ser la mujer mas fuerte e independiente que
conozco. Sin ustedes no seria el hombre quien soy. He aprendido tanto en estos
dos meses: no solamente sobre Colombia, pero tambien a cerca de mi. Nunca
olvidare lo que ustedes me han enseñado, ni me olvidare de las caras que veo en
la multitud de personas. Prometo que un dia volvere a la tierra de mis padres,
no como un Estadounidense, pero como un Paisa. ¡Que viva Colombia!
Good morning, my name is Cesar Andres Perez Duque. On behalf of my companions and I, we want to thank everyone present. Thanks to Tam and Jota (the directors of DukeEngage Colombia) and Medellin Solidaria (especially the social workers) for making this program possible. Thanks to our adoptive families for showing us so much affection; because of you all, we feel at home. Thanks to our partners (those of the National University and the Duke University) for making these two months unforgettable. Without you, we would not have ventured past the corner of our neighborhood. And, above all, thanks to all the families we interviewed for receiving us in their homes and for telling us their stories. This day is for you, so the world can hear your voices. I also want to thank my family, which is Paisa. Thanks to my uncles, aunts, and cousins for the love and support they have given me. Thanks to my mom for being the strongest and most independent woman I know. Without you all, I would not be the man I am today. I learned so much in these two months, not only about Colombia, but also about myself. I will never forget what you all have taught me, nor will I forget the faces I see in the crowd. I promise that one day I will return to the land of my parents, not as an American, but as a Paisa. Long live Colombia!
David
Gracias a Carmen, la cogestora de Medellín Solidaria con quien trabajé, por mostrarme los bellos barrios donde ella trabaja y por dejarme entrar en su casa sin reservas. Además, muchas gracias a ella y a su familia por hacerme sentir bienvenido cada vez que nos sentábamos en su mesa, con la maravillosa comida que prepararon para mi y por degustar las fajitas picantes que hice para ustedes. Gracias por mostrarme tu Medellín que no olvidaré. Gracias a las familias de los barrios, La Cruz, Manrique Oriental y Versalles numero uno, por el cariño que he recibido. Hablar con ustedes ha sido una bendición y son las personas más amigables que he conocido. Gracias por compartir libremente conmigo sus historias tan espontáneamente a pesar de que apenas me habían conocido. Sin todos ustedes, mi experiencia aquí en Medellín no hubiera sido la misma. Muchas Gracias.
I’d like to thank Carmen, my cogestora from Medellin Solidaria, for showing me around the beautiful neighborhoods she works in and for letting me into her home wholeheartedly. I’d like to thank her and her family for making me feel welcome every time we sat around the dining room table, whether we were eating the carne y arroz they prepared for me or the spicy fajitas I made for them. Thank you for showing me the Medellin you know and I won’t forget it. I’d also like to thank all of the families in these neighborhoods, La Cruz, Manrique Oriental, Versalle 1, etc. for doing the same. Being able to talk to you all has been a blessing and you’re some of the nicest people I’ve met. Thank you for openly sharing your stories with me even though you only a phone call the day before. Without you all, my experience here would not be as full as it has been.
Katie
Dani
Gracias a Carmen, la cogestora de Medellín Solidaria con quien trabajé, por mostrarme los bellos barrios donde ella trabaja y por dejarme entrar en su casa sin reservas. Además, muchas gracias a ella y a su familia por hacerme sentir bienvenido cada vez que nos sentábamos en su mesa, con la maravillosa comida que prepararon para mi y por degustar las fajitas picantes que hice para ustedes. Gracias por mostrarme tu Medellín que no olvidaré. Gracias a las familias de los barrios, La Cruz, Manrique Oriental y Versalles numero uno, por el cariño que he recibido. Hablar con ustedes ha sido una bendición y son las personas más amigables que he conocido. Gracias por compartir libremente conmigo sus historias tan espontáneamente a pesar de que apenas me habían conocido. Sin todos ustedes, mi experiencia aquí en Medellín no hubiera sido la misma. Muchas Gracias.
I’d like to thank Carmen, my cogestora from Medellin Solidaria, for showing me around the beautiful neighborhoods she works in and for letting me into her home wholeheartedly. I’d like to thank her and her family for making me feel welcome every time we sat around the dining room table, whether we were eating the carne y arroz they prepared for me or the spicy fajitas I made for them. Thank you for showing me the Medellin you know and I won’t forget it. I’d also like to thank all of the families in these neighborhoods, La Cruz, Manrique Oriental, Versalle 1, etc. for doing the same. Being able to talk to you all has been a blessing and you’re some of the nicest people I’ve met. Thank you for openly sharing your stories with me even though you only a phone call the day before. Without you all, my experience here would not be as full as it has been.
Katie
Quiero darle
las gracias a mi madre de Colombia, Vicky y mi cogestora Eliana. Todos ustedes han hecho esto
posible. Para las familias, quiero
darle las gracias por darme la bienvenida en sus vidas y por mostrarme su
Colombia. Quiero darle las gracias por dejarme entrevistarle y por compartir
tanto conmigo. A través de sus historias, he visto una fuerza increíble. A
través de sus experiencias, he aprendido el valor de la fortaleza cuando es más
fácil dejar de renunciar. Ahora estoy volviendo a casa, pero nunca olvidaré mis
dos meses en Colombia y las familias increíbles que he conocido y las historias
que me contaron. A menudo me gustaría poder quedarme aquí más tiempo y hacer más,
pero por ahora estoy contenta sabiendo que me devolveré siendo una persona más
fuerte que cuando vine, y esto, se lo debo a todos ustedes.
I want to thank my host mom, Vicky and my cogestora
Eliana for making this project
possible. To the families, I want
to thank you for welcoming me into your lives and for showing me your
Colombia. I want to thank you for
letting me interview you and for sharing so much with me, but most of all I
want to thank you for your kindness.
Through your stories, I have seen suffering, but also incredible
strength. Through your
experiences, I have learned the value of fortitude when it is easier to
quit. Just keep on keeping
on. I have always known this
phrase but now I know the bravery perseverance requires. I have seen your courage in the face of
adversity and true happiness despite overwhelming loss. I am now returning home but I will never
forget my two months in Colombia and the incredible families I met and the
stories they told me. I often wish
I could stay here longer and do more, but for now I am content knowing I return
a stronger person than when I came, and for that, I owe all of you.
Dani
Buenos días, mi nombre es Dani. Las tres semanas que pasé en el Picacho con mi cogestora, Maria Silvera, fueron una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida. Debido a la paciencia y la ayuda de mi cogestora, yo aprendí la bondad y la generosidad sincera. Estoy muy agradecida con Doña Maria Elena y Don Orlando quien me recibieron como una gran amiga y confidente. Ellos me mostraron a ser fuerte a pesar de todo y que la familia es siempre lo más importante. Y estoy muy agradecida con Doña Zoraida y como ella me ha enseñado que el baile puede mejorar el mundo y alcanza la paz, paso a paso. Nunca olvidaré las dos veces que subí las escaleras a la casa de Doña Maria Elena y Don Orlando para entrevistarlos y pasar tiempo charlando juntos. Y nunca olvidaré las caras cariñosas y animados en la clase de baile de Doña Zoraida- su energía y su gran pasión por enseñar. Muchísimas gracias por estos dos meses en Medellín y también por todas las experiencias y recuerdos inolvidables.
Good morning! My name is Danielle. The three weeks that I spent in Picacho with my cogestora (social worker), Maria Silvera, was on of the best experiences of my life. Due to the patience and assistance of my cogestora, I learned kindness and sincere generosity. I am very thankful for Mrs. Maria Elena and Mr. Orlando who received me as a good friend and confidante. They showed me to be strong above all else and that family is always of the utmost importance. And I am very thankful for Mrs. Zoraida and how she taught me that dance can improve the world and communicate peace, step by step. I will never forget the two times that I went up the stairs to Mrs. Maria Elena and Mr. Orlando's house to interview them and spent time chatting together. And I will never forget the caring and animated faces in Mrs. Zoraida's dance class- her energy and great passion for teaching. Many thanks for these two months in Medellín and also for all of the unforgettable experiences and memories.
Julie
Alexa
Albert
Para mí, este proyecto no es sólo mío. Es igualmente de
todos ustedes. Es por todos ustedes que yo fui capaz de conectar tan
profundamente y tan rápidamente en Medellín, he llegado a apreciar mi trabajo y
el impacto de este proyecto. Es por el amor y el calor que siento en mi casa huésped
todas las mañanas cuando me despierto y me saludan. Es gracias a la ayuda y la
paciencia que he recibido de mi cogestora, Johanna. Es a causa de la verdadera
amistad que he encontrado en mis compañeros. Es a causa de la orientación y el
liderazgo de Jota y Tam. Es, por la increíble voluntad de esta ciudad que nos
permita, como estudiantes de los Estados Unidos, tener la movilidad en estos 2
meses. Es a causa de la camaradería que hemos establecido entre los ocho de
nosotros. Y, por supuesto, es a causa de todas las familias que entrevisté.
Gracias, Doña Rubiela, Doña Rosalba, y Alexander, por su confianza, la
hospitalidad y buena disposición para compartir conmigo. Ustedes me han
inspirado, me han impactado profundamente, y me han enseñado el verdadero
significado de la resilencia. Todos ustedes me han dado tanto en estos dos
meses, más de lo que yo he podido reciprocar. Y por esto, me gustaría darles
las gracias.
For me, this project is not just mine. It is equally all of
yours. It is because of all of you that I was able to connect so deeply and so
quickly in Medellín and I have grown to care tremendously about my work and
impact here. It is because of the love and warmth I feel from my homestay
family every morning when I wake up and greet them. It is because of the help
and patience I have received from my cogestora, Johanna. It is because of the
true friendship I have found in my compañeros. It is because of the guidance
and leadership from Jota and Tam. It is because of this city’s incredible willingness
to let us students from the United States have such mobility in these 2 months.
It is because of the camaraderie we have established among the eight of us. And
of course, it is because of all of the families I interviewed. Thank you, Doña
Correa, Doña Salazar, and Alexander, for your trust, hospitality, and
willingness to share with me. You have inspired me, impacted me deeply, and
taught me the true meaning of resilience. You all have given me so much in
these 2 months—more than I could possibly dream of giving back. And for this, I
would like to say thank you.
Alexa
In the United States, we have a phrase, home is where the heart is. From my first week here until today,
what has moved me about the city is its people. I arrived at midnight after a
day of traveling, nervous and with heavy luggage pulling at my arms. My host
mom, Ceci, pushed my suitcases away and hugged me for the first time as if she
hadn’t seen me in 15 years. My guard went down and I felt at home. Sobeida was
the first family that I interviewed in my three weeks working in Santo Domingo.
I was so nervous as I descended the 184 steps to her house, but as she shared
with me her story of displacement and her daughter’s kidnapping, I felt
compelled to share the story of her strength as a single mother. In telling
Sobeida’s story, I realized part of my own. When she put her confidence in me
to share her voice, I opened up myself to
others here. The relationship that grew from that with my compañeros and my
family has made this city home. These videos will always be a reminder of that
home you all have created for me here. Thank you for making me feel like your
daughter and your close friend. Perhaps I am not paisa but I hope that I can take what I have learned from you and
share that in the United States. Donde
hay un paisa, está Medellín. When people ask me what I loved about
Medellín, I will tell them that it is so much more than the beauty of the
mountains or the city, it is the soul and voice of the people and I will always
keep that in my mind and in my heart.
Albert
Hola, me llamo Albert DeCaprio. En mi hogar en los
Estados Unidos no siempre pienso en mis raíces Colombianas. Yo fui adoptado de
Topaipí, Cundinamarca cuando tenía cuatro meses. Por eso, antes de venir a
Colombia, tenía un mezcla de
emociones. No tenía confianza en mi capacidad para hablar en español y estaba
nervioso de vivir con una familia huésped. Pero ahora estoy aquí: aliviado,
cómodo, y amañado en esta ciudad, y ya deje todas mis preocupaciones atrás. En
este momento no quiero irme de este lugar tan hermoso. He aprendido mas español
en estos dos meses que en todos mis semestres en la universidad. Mi familia huésped Colombiana me
recibió con los brazos abiertos y no creo que entiendan que difícil va ser
despedirme de ellos.
Estaba hablando con mi mama huésped colombiana un
fin de semana, y me dijo algo que he oído varias veces y de varias personas:
“Los simples detalles son los que hacen feliz la vida, no se necesita dinero
para ser felices”. Es fácil decirlo, pero solamente he visto esto
en la práctica acá. Toda la gente que yo entrevisté y conocí viven este dicho.
Aquí se hace mucha énfasis en las
relaciones entre las personas, el orgullo por la ciudad es muy fuerte, la
cultura es muy rica y en cualquiera situación, la gente nunca se olvida de lo
que agradecen. En los estados unidos, algunas veces pierdo sentido de lo que es
más importante: la familia, los amigos, la salud y la fe. Espero que cuando
regrese a mi universidad, recordaré y trataré de vivir una vida mas sencilla.
Hello, my name
is Albert DeCaprio. In my home in
the U.S., I don’t always think about my Colombian Roots. I was adopted from Topaipí,
Cundinamarca when I was 4 months old.
Because of this, before I came to Colombia, I had a mix of
emotions. I did not have
confidence in my ability to speak in Spanish and I was nervous of living with a
host family. But now, I’m here,
relieved, comfortable and happy in this city, and I’ve Left all of my worries
behind me. In this moment, I don’t want to leave this beautiful place. I have learned more Spanish in these
two months than in all of my semesters in college. My Colombian host family received me with open arms, and I
don’t relieve they understand how difficult it’s going to be to say
goodbye.
I was talking to
my host mom one weekend and she told me something that I have heard many times
and from many people: “The simple things in life are what make you happy. You do not need money to be happy”. It
is an easy phrase to say, but I have only seen this in practice here. All of the people that I met and
interviewed live this phrase.
Here, there is more emphasis in the personal relationships, the pride
for the city is very strong, the culture is very rich and, in any situation,
Paisas never forget what they are thankful for. In the U.S., sometimes I lose sight of what is the most
important: family, friends, health and faith. I hope that when I return to college, I will remember and I
will try to live a simpler life.