This is how students work for those most in need

UCundinamarca News spoke with Mireya Vanegas, a law professor at the institution who leads this important work in conjunction with the Lions Club to which she belongs, and with Maicol Suárez, a student who has participated in the activities.

UCundinamarca News: How did this initiative come about?

Mireya Vanegas (MV). One of the principles of the Transmodern Digital Educational Model (Medit) is solidarity and the environment. From this perspective, it is important that we as teachers involve students in projects that impact society, and since I belong to the Lions Club, we decided to work together on several initiatives.

UCundinamarca News: What projects have you carried out?

(MV) What we've done is involve them in activities like "Plant a Tree for Life," where they've planted one hundred trees, benefiting four hundred people in the region. We also have "Kilo Friday," where they contribute a kilo of lentils, beans, or other products. With that, we collect forty-eight food baskets, which we distribute among students experiencing food insecurity, after receiving a list of them from the student welfare department.

I'd like to mention the case of a student who told us she couldn't contribute anything, and shortly afterward the Apulo River overflowed and destroyed her house. We learned of the situation and were able to help her. Later, she came to thank us, as her family had been able to eat properly during a critical situation.

UCundinamarca News: What other communities have you worked with?

(MV) Well, we visited, for example, a nursing home with sixty-seven residents, where we shared a meal with them. There was a space there that we used to create a small garden where we planted yucca, papaya, beans, and corn for their benefit. This activity was very interesting because it made them aware of what old age is like and all the limitations it brings. We also visited a center that cares for children with cognitive disabilities, and we brought gifts and some cakes with soda. We helped one hundred and thirty-seven people there.

UCundinamarca News: How does this work change students' lives?

(MV). Every time we finish a day, we ask them to do a self-evaluation where they say what they learned, and we've found a recurring theme: solidarity towards others. We managed to awaken it, and that's very important.

“These days changed my perspective on life”: Maicol Estiven Suárez

For Maicol Estiven Suárez Montenegro, a student in the Business Administration program at the Girardot campus and a participant in the various workshops, this community outreach experience has awakened a spirit of solidarity he didn't previously possess toward those most in need. "I was able to see a reality that was hidden from me, and that's priceless.".

But her positive comments didn't end there, as she also learned the importance of environmental stewardship in tree planting. "It's important because, following the principle of preparing for life, I discovered that this work we did helps conserve water sources, fauna, and flora. It's beautiful to see a seed grow and bear fruit.".

Finally, this young man invites his classmates to join these workshops. “I urge you to go and experience them; it will change your perspective on life.”.

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