Two weeks in Medellín: Service trip with Children Beyond Our Borders

Miranda
Jun 21
3 min read

Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of joining Children Beyond Our Borders (CBOB) on a service trip to Medellín, Colombia. I entered this experience with a desire to serve families and communities in need while exploring a country I had never visited before. What I didn’t expect was how deeply this trip would impact me, both personally and professionally.

Through this journey, I discovered a renewed passion for community engagement and storytelling. I found joy and purpose in capturing the heartfelt moments around me through writing, photography, and video, preserving stories that deserve to be seen and heard.

About CBOB

Children Beyond Our Borders is a nonprofit organization founded by Colombian students at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). What began as a small campus initiative has evolved into a nonprofit organization that leads service trips across Colombia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, all while supporting a scholarship program for Colombian youth.

During our time abroad, I had the pleasure of meeting several of these scholars. Juliana, our incredible tour guide who became a close friend. Jason, our kind-hearted “ingeniero”. Eric, who appeared serious at first but turned out to be very kind. And Andrea, the radiant “selfie queen” who brought energy everywhere she went. Their stories and companionship made our time in Medellín even more special.

The Work We Did

Casa Huellas —

Casa Huellas is a community center run by passionate staff and volunteers, all deeply committed to the well-being of the children they serve. They go far beyond basic care, offering a mental health space where kids can process emotions, and promoting physical wellness through play, dance, and movement. I was inspired by the emotional intelligence and compassion shown by the children. It’s clear that the work being done here is impactful to the children in the communities.

Oasis de Paz —

Located in the mountains on the outskirts of the center of Medellín, Oasis de Paz provides basic healthcare access to a community that is geographically isolated and underserved. Just reaching the community requires a steep ten-minute uphill walk. With limited transportation and no nearby medical facilities, this center is all the community has.

While there, we helped organize and support a health fair that offered general checkups, dental and vision care, HIV screenings, and vaccinations. Many families had not seen a doctor in years. Some children as old as two had never received a single vaccine. Through donations and support, Children Beyond Our Borders was able to provide glasses for 22 children, giving them the gift of clear sight, with one young girl being able to see clearly for the first time in 16 years.

This experience was humbling. It reminded me of how easily we can take access to healthcare for granted. Routine visits, vaccines, even a simple pair of glasses, these are privileges that not everyone shares.

Casa de los Derechos —

We also partnered with Casa de los Derechos, a government organization focused on defending human rights and providing legal and social support to vulnerable communities. Our time there involved spending time with the kids of the affected communities, and painting a mural for the building.

The mural represented the displacement for many communities during the civil conflict between the 90s. Following the displacement, the mural encompassed the resilience of the community by being able to re-build in their current communities. The purpose of the mural was to empower the community members to feel proud of the community that they have built together.

This trip was more than a service project, it was a life-changing experience that deepened my empathy, strengthened my communication skills, and shown me my true passion.

The community members have taught me the importance of community, resilience, and love. All of which we tend to take for granted in the United States.

I’m so thankful to CBOB for giving me the opportunity to meet these beautiful communities. More importantly, I want to thank all of the family and friends who help fund my trip to Medellín, without you, I would not have had this wonderful experience.

Here are some of the pictures from the trip: