Once TES Always TES
A l u m n i N e w s l e t t e r
E I G H T H E D I T I O N
Dear TES Community,
Welcome back to a new academic year and to the 8 edition of “Once TES, Always TES” th This issue is all about social and environmental sustainability, which is a core part of our vision at The English School
Our alumni share how they are driving change in the present and for the future: protecting the environment, creating more inclusive communities, and leading projects that place responsibility and sustainability at the heart of progress and development This is a key component of transforming through respectcaring for ourselves, others and our world.
These stories reflect the values we nurture every day at TES and show how our graduates are putting them into action in both local and global contexts.
We hope you find this edition inspiring and a reminder of the positive impact we can all make.
Adam Bennett Head of School-Rector
LAURA DE LUCA
Class of 2008
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
After graduating from TES in 2008, I began studying Environmental Engineering at Universidad de los Andes in Colombia During my undergraduate studies, I pursued a minor in Anthropology and participated in an exchange programme at Lund University in Sweden. Following my graduation in 2013, I worked in an environmental consultancy before being accepted into an interuniversity master’s programme at Ghent University in Belgium in 2014 My master's degree focused on marine and lacustrine sciences and management. After completing my master's in 2016, I joined the University of Bergen in Norway as a researcher In 2019, I returned to Belgium and began my PhD in 2020, focusing on the sustainability of Blue Economy activities, such as offshore wind farms After completing my PhD, I continued working at Ghent University as a postdoctoral researcher within the Sustainable Systems Engineering research group My work remains centred on the sustainability of the Blue Economy and the protection of marine biodiversity.
What stands out the most are the friendships I formed—many of which have lasted nearly 20 years and continue to be an important part of my life.
What is your favourite memory from TES?
I have many fond memories from my time at TES, so it’s hard to choose just one What stands out the most are the friendships I formed many of which have lasted nearly 20 years and continue to be an important part of my life I also cherish the classes that sparked my curiosity about the natural world, especially Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. They planted the seeds for what would later become my academic and professional path And of course, I’ll always remember the special moments Jeans Days, bonfires, school trips like the one to Iguaque, and all the wonderful activities organised by the school. They created a strong sense of community and made those years truly unforgettable.
What do you consider to be the foundation the school provided in your education that helped you reach this point in your professional life?
I believe one of the strongest foundations TES provided me was the opportunity to experience both the IGCSEs and the IB programme These academic challenges played a key role in shaping my professional path, equipping me with critical thinking skills, academic discipline, and a global perspective
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career with social or environmental impact?
Follow your curiosity, stay informed, and don’t be afraid to start small Reach out to people already working in the field don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn from their experiences. Surround yourself with others who share your passion, and remember that creating real impact takes time, collaboration, and persistence.
I wanted to understand how the oceans functioned and dreamt of telling stories about them.
How did your interest in sustainability (environmental, social, or both) begin?
My interest in environmental sustainability began at a very young age; I believe I was around five years old. I was always deeply curious about nature and how it worked, with a particular fascination for the oceans I vividly remember spending hours watching the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, completely captivated I wanted to understand how the oceans functioned and dreamt of telling stories about them. From early on, I also recognised the importance of protecting the environment both on land and at sea not only to safeguard the beauty and diversity of life, but also because our own well-being is inseparable from the natural world We are all interconnected This lifelong curiosity led me to study Environmental Engineering. However, my desire to delve deeper into ocean protection motivated me to pursue a master’s degree in Marine Sciences.
What is your research about?
At Ghent University, my main research focuses on the sustainability of Blue Economy activities, such as offshore wind farms and seaweed cultivation. I work within the Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) research group, which aims to advance methodologies for assessing environmental impacts particularly Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) LCA is a scientific method used to quantify the impact on the environment of human activities across their entire life cycle from the extraction of raw materials to the end of a product’s life It helps us answer critical questions about how sustainable different activities truly are. Our group applies LCA to a wide range of sectors, including plastics, batteries, food production, solar energy, and many others My PhD and current postdoctoral research are centred on improving LCA by integrating ecosystem services and marine biodiversity, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of environmental sustainability especially for marine-based activities In my specific case, I’ve focused on evaluating the sustainability of offshore wind farms and, more recently, seaweed farms However, to accurately assess the environmental impacts of these activities, we must go beyond traditional LCA. By incorporating the value of ecosystem services and the effects on marine biodiversity, we aim to develop a more holistic and meaningful sustainability assessment for human activities at sea.
What are some of the main achievements or milestones you ’ ve reached so far?
One of my proudest achievements so far has been completing my PhD Over the course of those four years, I had the opportunity to publish my research in several scientific journals, which was a significant milestone for me. Sharing my work with the broader scientific community and contributing to the conversation on sustainability has been incredibly rewarding.
Another highlight was participating in the UN Ocean Decade Conference in 2024 in Barcelona I was honored to be selected to present my research at this global event, where I also had the chance to meet and connect with inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, all working passionately toward the protection of our oceans. It was a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to drive meaningful change
MARÍA PAULA HERRERA
CAMILA HERRERA LUCÍA BOTERO
Class of 2023
Class of 2023
Class of 2019
María Paula, Camila and Lucía met at school and joined together to create a safe and educational space for kids in Zambia. With their project, they are leaving a significant mark at a global scale.
If you would like to support them and donate to their project:
SEBASTIÁN ESPEJO
Class of 2020
What is your favourite memory from TES?
I carry many memories from school with me not so much out of nostalgia, but out of deep gratitude For the people I met, for the friends and teachers, many of whom I’m still close to today Some became lifelong friends, others were mentors who had a profound impact on who I am as a person I’m especially thankful for the classes I took throughout my academic journey. Sometimes I miss doing Wayang puppetry or Kabuki in drama class, building architectural models in design, playing volleyball or basketball even if I wasn’t good at it , painting with watercolours in Art, doing experiments in Biology and Chemistry, dissecting texts in literature or my French classes. Mainly, I miss those activities we gradually stop doing as we grow up, become more specialised in particular fields and often less curious I also miss recess with my friends and the outings we did as part of the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) programme they were so meaningful and impactful
It's not my favourite memory, but one that’s stayed with me is when we were organising a Halloween event for toddlers from a children's foundation we visited in the El Codito neighbourhood. We all came together, even those who weren’t particularly close friends There was a strong spirit of collaboration some made the treat bags, others decorated them, and others sorted the candies Witnessing that, the power of working together in ways that are generous, creative, and community-building was wonderful. Our CAS group was led by Leonardo Favio Correa de la Ossa, also known as “Profe Leo” an incredible teacher whom I remember very fondly.
I really do miss some aspects of school Time moved more slowly back then; more time to spend with friends, more time to read and learn at a calm pace, more time to engage deeply with knowledge The kind of education that this school provided was truly broad and far-reaching. I miss that holistic, transdisciplinary, expansive approach to knowledge You can see it in my classmates, some of whom I’m still in touch with, others less so. They’ve gone on to become doctors, lawyers, philosophers, engineers, musicians, psychologists, designers, and communicators A remarkable diversity of professionals. A real testament to what it meant to study at The English School.
What do you consider to be the foundation the school provided in your education that helped you reach this point in your professional life?
Without a doubt, the International Baccalaureate (IB) played a fundamental role in my academic and professional journey It initially inspired me to study anthropology and has since led me to sociology.
The English School always fostered curiosity, a passion for learning, experimentation, research, and collaborative work. What made the most significant difference were, and still are, the teachers, followed by the international, interdisciplinary, and multicultural mindset that the IB promotes. The laboratories, libraries, green spaces, and classrooms also created an environment that undoubtedly enhanced learnability
How did your interest in sustainability begin?
My interest in sustainability was sparked during my geography classes. I fondly recall my Internal Assessment, in which I conducted field research on the Alameda housing estate, a neighbourhood adjacent to The English School. This was my first real encounter with urban fieldwork and my introduction to tools such as GIS, cartography, surveys, and semi-structured interviews.
Equally formative were the informal conversations and classroom discussions I had with teachers like ‘Profe Leo’, Lizbeth Santana, Iván González Puccetti, Ricardo Bautista, and Adam Bennett, among many others particularly during the process of writing my Extended Essay. That essay became my first rigorous academic research project
I focused on the geographic and socioeconomic factors affecting the sustainability of the Nasa Indigenous population in Cauca. It was a bold and, at times, controversial topic, as I critically challenged mainstream paradigms of development and sustainability presented in the IB geography curriculum. In many ways, it evolved into a more anthropological inquiry than a conventional geography study The research process itself was profoundly fulfilling and solidified my passion for critical, field-based inquiry
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
Since graduating in 2020, these past years have been marked by significant personal development and professional growth Undoubtedly, it was mainly thanks to my Arts, Literature, Humanities, and Theory of Knowledge teachers that I was encouraged to pursue a career in the social sciences This led me to complete my undergraduate studies in Anthropology at Universidad de los Andes. It is the department with the longest trajectory in Colombia, and last year it celebrated 60 years of anthropological training
Figure 2. Change Stories team at Los Mártires Care Block, Bogotá (2024).
The department is deeply committed to public anthropology and concerned with fostering research that has a tangible social impact During my undergraduate years, I met many classmates who had studied at The English School something that, I believe, is rarely discussed. As far as I know, this school is one of the few, if not the only one in Bogotá, that offers anthropology classes at the high school level, and it has been a key starting point for anthropological training
What is your project about?
During my undergraduate studies, I worked closely with Dr Friederike Fleischer, an anthropologist, and Professor Dr María José Álvarez-Rivadulla, a sociologist both social scientists with deep interests in urban research, inequality, and life in the city. This led to my initial involvement in a research project focused on place-based initiatives, particularly Bogotá’s Manzanas del Cuidado (Care Blocks). These centres offer social services primarily to women engaged in unpaid care work as their primary daily activity Our team conducted in-depth research on four Care Blocks:
Two are located in Bosa, a peripheral area of Bogotá with social housing developments; one in Los Mártires, a more central locality where a former brothel was transformed into a LGBTQ+ friendly cultural centre; and another in Mochuelo Bajo, a neighbourhood on the rural-urban fringe of the city. Over the course of a couple of years, we carried out ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and focus groups to understand users ’ individual perceptions of the programme.
We also conducted a policy evaluation based on the initiative’s three core goals: to recognise, reduce, and redistribute the burdens of care in society and within households
We found that the use of services at these centres not only dignifies and validates the role of women in unpaid care work but also significantly improves their overall quality of life beyond their caregiving responsibilities. One unanticipated policy outcome was the formation of new friendship networks among users women who often live in social isolation. In recent months, we have been working to examine this emergent dynamic quantitatively through surveys and social network analysis
After graduating with honours, I had the opportunity to continue working with both academics, this time as a research assistant at the master’s level in the Sociology programme, within the framework of the ‘Change Stories’ project (https://cienciassociales uniandes edu co/pongle -proyecto-sociologia-change-stories/) This interuniversity research project investigates sustainable practices and urban efforts that have contributed to more sustainable, equitable, and healthy ways of life in cities. In Bogotá, our focus is on the District Care System and, more specifically, the Manzanas del Cuidado (Care Blocks) This time, we are particularly interested in the stories being told of the origins of this initiative a policy born out of political will, civil society participation, militant bureaucrats, feminist scholars, and other key actors.
We’re currently working closely with the Bogotá Women’s Advisory Council, the city’s highest participatory body for women. It is composed of long-standing feminist leaders and other women ' s rights advocates Engaging with their political experiences opens up a constellation of knowledge about what it means to live and struggle in Bogotá Today, the Care Blocks are recognised as a good practice, studied and even adopted by other cities in Colombia and beyond For this reason, it is crucial to approach this policy in a granular way, shedding light on its specific details and the diverse actors involved in its creation and maintenance
We have carried out sustained work alongside people from different cities around the world, all seeking more sustainable urban futures.
The project also includes case studies in Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), focusing on housing and food sovereignty, respectively It is a highly participatory and socially engaged project that involves collaboration with organisations, social groups, and political movements One of its core aims is to make visible those who are often excluded from hegemonic narratives of sustainable urban development telling stories that are usually left out of dominant discourses We have carried out sustained work alongside people from different cities around the world, all seeking more sustainable urban futures.
What’s the main achievement or milestone you ’ ve reached so far?
Arguably, my most significant achievement to date has been the research I conducted for my master’s thesis. Research emerged from my involvement in the Change Stories project, through which I became deeply familiar with Bogotá’s participatory governance architecture.
During this process, I met a key leader with over 40 years of experience in feminism, popular education, and rural social movements.
She strongly advocated for the need for citizens to “enter the State” and to use institutional channels as legitimate spaces for advocacy, rights-claiming, and political influence. At the same time, she acknowledged the achievements of these participatory bodies while critically reflecting on their evolution from arenas of critical cooperation, dialogue, and sustainable governance to what she described as increasingly co-opted, routine, and even top-down structures Her reflections led me to adopt what sociologist Monica Prasad calls a “problem-solving sociology ”
I was not merely interested in describing or critiquing these mechanisms; rather, I aimed to develop a constructive approach that could identify both structural and everyday barriers that hinder meaningful engagement by social leaders in these citizen–state dialogue spaces This inquiry was particularly urgent given the understudied nature of Bogotá’s participatory infrastructure within political sociology, despite its significance for urban governance
The city is home to more than 1,500 participatory mechanisms, nearly 1,700 community action boards (Juntas de Acción Comunal), and a participatory budgeting system through which citizens, by law, co-decide 50% of local public investment. This is a remarkable civic innovation one from which other cities could learn yet it remains largely unknown and underutilised by the general public
What have been the biggest challenges, and how have you addressed them?
One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced is conducting research on health, sustainability, equity, democracy and diversity in a global context increasingly marked by scepticism and even hate toward academic inquiry, social justice, and science itself
Figure 1 Research conference in which we presented preliminary results (2023)
I believe that learning from cities in the Global South is essential to confronting these fears around difference, equality, and equity The vast majority of the world’s population lives in cities in the Global South. Yet, these contexts are often overlooked in academic discussions, which tend to be dominated by Euro-American paradigms It is crucial to make our realities more visible within educational environments, especially in private institutions, which often operate as elite enclaves disengaged with the deep inequalities and segregation patterns embedded in contexts like Bogotá. This hinders the pursuit of more just and sustainable societies Education, fueled by curiosity, creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a sensitive, multi-sited approach, is key to addressing these complex global challenges
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career with social or environmental impact?
First and foremost, I would encourage cultivating curiosity, especially if one is lucky enough to live in a city as extraordinary as Bogotá This city is an urban laboratory where we can experiment with creative solutions to everyday challenges Amid the chaos, Bogotá gives rise to fascinating innovations: the TransMilenio BRT system, the TransMiCable gondolas, the weekly Ciclovía, participatory social policies, civic culture initiatives, and eco-friendly neighbourhoods All of these represent efforts toward more sustainable and equitable ways of life. I would also advise being cautious about one-size-fits-all solutions or rushed interventions Real, lasting change requires attention to detail, sensitivity to people’s lived experiences, and an openness to trial and error. Meaningful solutions are always context-specific and demand constant reevaluation. I would also recommend nurturing social awareness, an ethics of care, political commitment, and collective action
These help prevent us from naturalising social and structural problems as if they were inevitable or unsolvable and instead allow us to work with a wide range of actors who generate alternative ways of inhabiting the city Urban sustainability is often understood through a physical or spatial lens: public works, hard infrastructure, or urban design
But other dimensions are just as crucial, alternative ways of sustaining life that are not always recognised in official or institutional frameworks Sustainability also emerges from grassroots practices, everyday acts of self-management, and the creative problem-solving of ordinary people navigating structural neglect
The dominant definition of sustainability meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs is important, and the Sustainable Development Goals offer helpful guidance Nonetheless, it is equally vital to consider the everyday practices, the informal arrangements, the improvised and contingent strategies, the subaltern and bottom-up actions through which people create more livable, just, and caring urban worlds. If we truly want to talk about sustainability, we must begin with care. In a world increasingly shaped by capitalism, commodification, and extractive forms of development, care is a profoundly revolutionary force In the age of consumerism, acts of repair, maintenance, mutual aid, and grassroots selfmanagement are profound expressions of resistance and seeds for better and more sustainable futures
Figure 3 Students at CAS, The English School (2018)
MARINÉ MORE
Class of 2001
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
In school, I discovered my voice through writing. I was already publishing opinion columns before graduation, and that early practice shaped my ability to connect ideas with purpose. CAS and TESMUN were key experiences that sharpened my sense of leadership and my commitment to using communication as a tool for transformation.
Shortly after leaving school, I started designing communication strategies for social impact first with UN agencies and later with organisations focused on global cooperation, education, and sustainability I studied Social Communication with a focus on organisational strategy, which gave me the tools to advise some of the most iconic brands and companies in Colombia and the world
Since then, I’ve led national and regional campaigns for programmes supported by the World Bank, the Institut Français, UNESCO, USAID, ACDI/VOCA, Swisscontact, UK Pack, SECO (Swiss Economic Cooperation), Empresarios por la Educación and Secretaría de Educación de Bogotá and Medellín.
My core focus has been on working in education and youth development. I’ve built alliances with business leaders to co-create a more empathetic, optimistic and opportunity-driven country This path led to the co-creation of the Youth Communication and Innovation Lab, recognised globally for its approach to narrative, youth engagement and social innovation
I hold a Master’s in Media Studies and Journalism and advanced studies in sustainability, corporate reputation and digital strategy
I love the school deeply The IB programme shaped how I think and helped me understand how I could contribute meaningfully to the world. That’s why I always dreamt my children would grow up here too, and why I feel so proud to give back to my school community.
What do you consider to be the foundation the school provided in your education that helped you reach this point in your professional life?
The school discovered my leadership early and believed in my ability to make a difference. It didn’t just prepare me academically it gave me purpose, structure and drive
I remember that in Grade 10, there was a huge flood from the Tunjuelo River I went to Mr Mabe, our Head of School, and asked if I could do something to help. He supported me so fully that, from The English School, we led a campaign that brought together all the UNCOLI schools We sent more than 60 busloads of aid to the families who needed it most. La Mega even came to the school to broadcast what we were doing That experience changed my life It showed me I could be a bridge listening to communities, organising teams, bringing media and companies together, and making real changes happen
At the same time, the school taught me the power of excellence as a standard All subjects inspired me Every teacher pushed me to think deeper, write better, solve smarter, and show up fully. They set the bar high and trusted us to reach it
During my school years, I was a good student. But when I got to university, I understood the real impact of being an English School alumna At both university and my Master’s degree, I graduated top of my class. And I genuinely attribute that to what I learned and lived at school
Every teacher pushed me to think deeper, write better, solve smarter, and show up fully.
What is your project, programme, organisation, or foundation about?
For over three decades, we have worked on initiatives that create real opportunities for youth through education, resilience-building, and mental health awareness through communications for behavioural change initiatives One of our most emblematic projects is YCIL – the Youth Communication and Innovation Lab. This social innovation strategy was co-created and funded by USAID, ACDI/VOCA (Youth Resilient Activity), and supported by UM Migration and major media partners (El Tiempo, RCN, Caracol). It is designed to amplify the voices of youth positive leaders in the most vulnerable regions, identified by FLIP (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa) as "territories of silence" and by SIP (Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa) as "informational deserts."
As co-founder, director, and mentor, I have trained and guided over 500 young people from grassroots media collectives and positive youth leadership networks, providing them with platforms, technical and life skills, and the confidence to design engaging narratives, influence public agendas, shift local narratives, and co-create innovative campaigns and solutions to transform their communities as active ChangeMakers.
The initiative has become a national benchmark for youth-led communication, resilience, and civic engagement and received global recognition, as it was awarded an Honourable Mention as Best Strategy of the Year and Most Innovative Nonprofit Initiative at the 2023 PR Daily Nonprofit Awards, at The Yale Club in New York
JOAQUÍN CARABALLO
Class of 2000
Joaquín has become one of Colombia's leading representatives in the environmental field worldwide.
Enjoy his story full of challenges and achievements.
Click here to learn about my professional journey
CAMILA BUSTILLO
Class of 2004
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
After graduating from The English School, I studied Fashion Design at La Salle College in Bogotá In 2007, I completed a master's degree in Fashion Styling at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, an incredible experience that gave me independence, opened my mind, and connected me to a world full of creativity and challenges.
Upon returning to Colombia, it was challenging to make my way as a Fashion Stylist, as the profession was just emerging in the country After several unsuccessful interviews, I had my father's support to start my own brand: CAMILA BUSTILLO | Fashion Designer, focused on image consulting and clothing design for women with different body types I worked on my brand for 11 years, until 2019, when life showed me a new path: digital marketing This led me to start a new professional stage at the Fundación del Quemado.
What is your favourite memory of TES?
My first day at TES! I started in November, after spending two months at St George's School, where I couldn't settle in That day, I arrived at Kindergarten 3 with Miss Rosemary, and from the very first moment, I felt that I belonged at TES. I felt welcome and comfortable, and, most importantly, I met someone who would become my best friend.
What do you consider to be the foundations that the school gave you in your education to help you reach this point in your professional life?
For me, CAS was the best and had a profound impact on my life. I recall that, initially, we only attended ICBF pre-schools, but then Miss Debbie, a very special teacher, decided to expand the options in Bogotá. Thanks to her, we visited ICBF temporary shelters and worked with HIV-positive children, and visited nursing homes and rehabilitation centres for adolescents and blind children, among other places.
In my final year of school, we travelled to the Amazon and worked with indigenous communities Those experiences opened my eyes to a reality that many young people lack access to. Direct contact with vulnerable populations had a profound impact on me and awakened a social awareness that continues to guide me today.
How did your interest in sustainability (environmental, social, or both) begin?
In my family, social commitment has always been very strong My grandmother was the founder of the volunteer ladies at Hospital Kennedy, and every December we would go with her and my mother to share gifts and snacks with the hospitalised children From a very young age, I understood the importance of helping those most in need.
In addition, my aunt, Dr Linda Guerrero, is the founder and scientific director of the Fundación del Quemado, created in 1995 to care for burn survivors after they leave the hospital ward The foundation has always been present in our family, and in one way or another, we have all been involved in its work
At the end of 2019, I closed my cycle as a fashion designer and decided to join the Fundación del Quemado to lead the digital marketing area It has undoubtedly been the best decision of my life.
In my family, social commitment has always been very strong
What is your foundation about?
The Fundación del Quemado is a non-profit organisation that has been providing comprehensive rehabilitation to burn survivors since 1995
Once a patient has passed the critical phase in the burns unit, they face a temporary disability which, if not treated properly, can lead to permanent physical and psychological aftereffects
At our organisation, patients receive care that is unique in Colombia: we have our own headquarters and a team of 12 professionals who are highly specialised in the management of burn sequelae. Our commitment is to offer not only medical treatment but also hope and a renewed quality of life to those who have gone through this challenging experience.
What are some of the main achievements or milestones you ’ ve reached so far?
As a foundation, we have reached places where the state has been unable to go We have found that only 17% of patients rehabilitated at the foundation are able to travel from different regions of the country to Bogotá to receive care
In this context, medical-surgical campaigns have become one of the most significant milestones in our work Through a team of plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, doctors, and volunteers, we bring specialised care for burns and reconstructive surgery to remote regions of Colombia These sessions offer timely, free, and quality treatment to patients who would otherwise never have had access to this type of intervention
Since 2018, we have carried out 10 medicalsurgical campaigns in cities such as Ubaté, Girardot, Cartagena, Pasto, Ibagué, and Cúcuta There, we have treated patients who had gone 15, 20, and even 35 years without receiving any kind of treatment If access is limited in cities, it is practically impossible in rural areas; therefore, reaching these places means restoring hope and quality of life.
Another major milestone in our history is the Benefit Concerts, a cultural and charitable tradition that we have organised continuously since 1997. This event brings together emerging and renowned artists with a loyal and committed audience, transforming music into a bridge of hope and change.
Over the past two decades, the concerts have not only raised essential funds for rehabilitation programmes but have also raised awareness of the cause, sensitised society, and consolidated a space where art and solidarity go hand in hand Thanks to this initiative, thousands of patients have had the opportunity to be reborn with dignity
What have been the biggest challenges, and how have you addressed them?
The greatest challenge not only for Fundación del Quemado but for any non-governmental organisation is financial sustainability Raising funds to ensure the continuity of our social and humanitarian mission has been an ongoing challenge. We have faced this reality with creativity, transparency, and commitment, seeking to build trust among benefactors, diversify our sources of support, and forge strategic alliances.
When you truly understand the needs of the people or cause you want to serve, you can design meaningful and sustainable solutions.
Could you share a meaningful story or testimony related?
Each testimony from our patients is moving From my position, being close to their stories, I have been deeply touched by their resilience and the immense gratitude they express towards our surgeons, who, with their magical hands, give them another chance at life
Particularly moving are the experiences we have had during our trips to the remote areas
Many patients come from situations of extreme poverty, violence, state neglect, caregiver negligence, or even abuse Some travel for hours to be seen at a medical clinic
To treat people who have gone years without receiving treatment for their conditions and to see the spark of hope in their faces confirms to me that I am in the right place: serving a Colombia that still needs to be remembered
What are your future plans for your project or your career in sustainability?
Our strategic plan focuses on strengthening the Foundation's visibility to ensure its long-term sustainability
We want not only to increase the number of private benefactors who donate regularly, but also to develop a strategy focused on companies and institutions in the health sector, both national and international, to build strategic alliances that enhance our impact and bring hope to more patients in the country.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career with social or environmental impact?
Empathy and purpose are key to getting started! When you truly understand the needs of the people or cause you want to serve, you can design meaningful and sustainable solutions.
Be patient: impact takes time, and real change often comes from small, consistent actions rather than immediate results Surround yourself with people who share your values and never stop learning from the communities you serve. Above all, remember that passion must be accompanied by professionalism: combine your vocation with knowledge, structure, and discipline so that your work can transform lives and stand the test of time.
Learn more about Fundación del Quemado
Update your contact details and keep up to date with news from your school, take part in activities and connect with our community of students, parents and other alumni. Don’t hesitate to email us at alumni@englishschool.edu.co Click here to update your info! We invite you to share your stories with us to be featured in the next edition of Once TES, Always TES.
