Community Projects

Creating sustainable communities

Storyteller Formation

  • Winners of Recon Colombia 2019 - Social Entrepreneurship
  • International Finalists in Social Innomarathon by SAP
  • Chapters in Comuna 1, 4 and 13 in Medellín
  • Growing nationally - El Chocó, Las Amazonas, Valle de Cauca, Caldas and more coming!

Storyteller Formation

Storytellers are a program supported by the Primed Community that aims to create decent employment in the sustainable tourism sector. Primed is a social enterprise focused on learning and community. We provide English, life skills and personal development using our experience-based methodology.

WHAT DO WE DO?
We provide English learning sessions and tour guide training to people in situations of vulnerability. This project is offered as a combined language learning and skills development opportunity.

WHY DO WE DO IT?
People lack opportunity, not skill. English is a great skill to develop that helps to connect globally and expand employment opportunities. In Colombia, many people do not have access to quality education options.

WHO DO WE DO IT FOR?
This project is aimed at populations in vulnerable situations, mainly young people between 16 and 20 years old. We have implemented the methodology in Commune 13 (San Javier) and Commune 1 (Santo Domingo).

HOW DO WE DO IT?
We use an experience-based CLIL methodology focused on functional English, storytelling and being a guide. The sessions are offered free of charge and have the support of public entities such as El Cedezo and the José Luis Arroyave Restrepo de San Javier Library Park.

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Community English

  • Over 1000 people directly impacted by this project
  • Immersive volunteer experience
  • English with life skills and personal development
  • Knowledge exchange between students and volunteers

Community English

Created in 2015, at the top of the picturesque escalators of Comuna 13 (Medellín), this project was started by Milena Palavilla with the purpose of teaching English for free for the development of the community. Initially, they were just English classes (Stairway to English), but then they turned into activities that led to language exchange and community tours.

Currently, it is a project with which we impact the communities of Medellín and El Chocó, teaching English with an immersive methodology. Our sessions are supported by volunteers, held in public spaces and have the participation of social entities.

 

WHAT DO WE DO?

We share immersive English experiences combined with like skills and personal development to empower people in situations of vulnerability.

WHY DO WE DO IT?

To provide social and economic opportunities that the community would not otherwise have. To create a network of locals and volunteers who speak English

WHO DO WE DO IT FOR?

Aimed at communities that can directly benefit from English. For example, in Medellín classes are held for Commune 13 (San Javier), Commune 1 (Santo Domingo, Popular) and Moravia; Likewise, in Chocó classes are shared with the Termales community

HOW DO WE DO IT?

We share immersive English classes that use the language as a vehicle for other learning. We integrate life skills and personal development to help prepare people in situations of vulnerability to connect with opportunities.

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Conversemos

  • Female rivalry, toxic masculinity, racial equity, cannabis culture and more
  • Diverse people talking about engaging topics
  • Conversation spaces to discuss impactful ideas

Conversemos

Spaces for conversation and debate with different topics of social and collective interest. They are carried out with the purpose of generating a process of learning and awareness regarding what is happening in our context.

WHO ARE WE?
Citizens and active professionals interested in promoting spaces for knowledge, debate, and the exchange of knowledge, fostering analysis, criticism, and collective empathy regarding issues that concern us as a society ready for transformation.

WHAT DO WE DO?
We promote spaces for conversation with different topics of social and collective interest in order to generate a learning process regarding what happens in our context. We discuss ideas with guests from different areas to create a space for reflection and debate.

WHY DO WE DO IT?
To achieve analysis, criticism, self-reflection, community reflection, encourage citizen participation / action and provide spaces for immersion in the shared knowledge of our community.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
If you have a topic that you want to inform others about and you think we need it as a tool for social transformation, connect with us.

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Respiremos

  • Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, urban gardens and more
  • Connect with yourself and community
  • Extend your learning with integrated experiences

Respiremos

As a community, we will build our practice and grow together.

Activities to achieve individual and collective self-awareness. The experiences are focused on developing peace and control over our body, as well as the recognition of the role we play on our planet and the traces we leave on it. It is divided into Yoga for the soul and practical workshops to focus.

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Bailemos

  • Cuban salsa, bachata, chirimia, champeta, bunde and more
  • Various
  • Extend your learning with integrated experiences

Bailemos

Bailemos is a space for immersion in Colombian multiculturalism through corporal expression and musical rhythms from different regions.

In this way, we show how captivating it can be to immerse yourself in the world of dance related to the cultures of the country.

WHAT DO WE DO?
Generate a community and cultural meeting space that contributes to the learning process that attendees already have about dance, with the purpose of enjoying and recognizing different rhythmic styles and, therefore, Colombian cultures.

WHY DO WE DO IT?
Through dance classes with different Colombian and Latin musical styles. Duration of 1 hour.

WHO DO WE DO IT FOR?
Bailemos is open to everyone: both for our students and for the communities where we work.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
Experiential workshops guided by expert teachers in Latin rhythms. We focus on dance, as well as the history and culture to which it belongs.

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Parcharte

  • Music, art, poetry, dance, rap and more
  • Delicious local snacks and drinks
  • Community initiatives and products

Parcharte

‘PARCHAR’ AND ENJOY THE ARTS
Parcharte is a cultural event, in which we connect with the community and share talent and the arts. In this space, which works as an open platform to show and exchange, you can find poetry, music, dance, comedy, improvisation and, of course, languages.

  • Artists and art from around the world
  • Support ongoing community projects.
  • Gallery and community shop
  • Entry with purchase in the community gallery, donation, or community pass.
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Comuna Christmas

  • Every December in the festive season
  • Snacks, games, activities and music
  • Volunteering, gift giving and activities
  • Community funded fun

Comuna Christmas

The most beautiful thing is sharing.

Annually, in the Christmas season, we have a celebration with our community. We connect with some of our allies to provide a space of happiness and share with residents, volunteers and staff.

2021 ALLIES
Llevate alguito pues

Unity Allstars

Jarum

D’Cada

2020 ALLIES
Unity Allstars

Various professionals

Ina Restaurant

Cafe Revolución

Platos sin fronteras

2019 ALLIES
Unity Allstars

Policia Nacional

Howtomedellin

D’Cada

Pulso

Storytellers

2018 ALLIES
SaludPan

Sembramos

Policio Nacional

Pulso

Barrio Central

Invasiones Trece

Storytellers

2017 ALLIES
MIEO

Pulso

Storytellers

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Parche en el parque

  • Sporadic meets throughout the year
  • Share and learn with others
  • Snacks, skills and community sharing

Parche en el parque

Everyone can teach.

The park culture is strong. We connect and share juggling, food, slackline, acroyoga, music and more. An idealistic encounter to share what you know and learn something new from a diverse community of talented people.

  • Various yoga styles.
  • Juggling and circus.
  • Share food and culture.
  • Slackline and acrobatics.
  • Language exchange.
  • Knowledge exchange.
  • Music, art, hula hoop and more.
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Sembremos

  • 3 locations around Medellín
  • Sustainable community contributions
  • 300 volunteers and 500+ plants

Sembremos

Create sustainable cities and communities through active participation in urban gardening and the beautification of public spaces. Community building through social activities and an international network of volunteers.

This project has been carried out in several installments. First in San Javier, this project continues to spread throughout Medellín and involve more and more organizations and communities.

WHAT DO WE DO?
We conduct immersive workshops and create urban garden spaces to foster sustainable communities. We work with local communities, international volunteers, recycled materials, local plants, and other organizations.

WHY DO WE DO IT?
In line with the SDGs, we want to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities and provide access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces. We also aim to provide quality education focused on sustainable communities.

WHO DO WE DO IT FOR?
This project is aimed at communities where Primed is active in order to strengthen community ties and provide the opportunity to learn new things and improve our sustainability as a community.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
Primed and its allies organize community workshops that focus on recycling, sharing artistically important messages, urban gardening, community engagement, construction, and other skill areas.

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Help us, Help Mocoa

  • Supporting Mocoa, Colombia
  • Funds raised for disaster flood relief
  • Tours, classes and volunteering

Help us, Help Mocoa

DISASTER RELIEF AID
After the landslide disaster in Mocoa, Proyecto Prime decided to get involved and support a struggling community. To raise funds for disaster relief, activities were held in English and Spanish on Prime and The Wandering Paisa. The stairway storytellers also contributed by providing a guided tour of Comuna 13 and all advice was given in the background. There were games, activities, a tour and an exchange offered by our community to help Mocoa. We raised funds for for disaster relief.

HOW WAS IT?
Primed Community organized a series of language workshops on April 9, 2017 to help raise funds to send to Mocoa after the recent tragedy. The English department began by organizing a morning of activities in English at PRIME Medellín, while the Spanish department headed to The Wandering Paisa to showcase a variety of immersive activities for eager tourists. Subsequently, the team raised more funds in Comuna 13 by presenting their regular Sunday classes and workshops. The day ended with the storytellers showing their charitable nature by taking a guided tour of the community and donating their proceeds to the collection. Everyone had a blast and we hope that our contribution can help make a difference.

Once again, thank you all for your donations and The Wandering Paisa and The Stairway Storytellers for their contributions. Look at the event here

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Entre tanta carreta

  • Supporting Recyclers in Medellín
  • Recognising amazing contributions of our community
  • Cart improvements and Conversation Panels

Entre Tanta Carreta

Entre Tanta Carreta was inspired by the incredibly hard work waste pickers do in Medellín and around the world.

HOW WAS IT?

To highlight its importance and support the local waste picker community, Prime held discussions, presentations and workshops. We shared important information about recyclers, helped them with a little legal support, and most importantly, we helped renovate their carts so they could do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.

Primed Community connected witth Corriente Diez Dos ad Göra makerspace to share information and rebuild carretas.

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Recycle, Recycle with us

  • Workshops to help people recycle
  • Student lead activities from our community
  • Activities, music, games and more

Recycle, Recycle with us

A STUDENT EXPERIENCE BY SANTIAGO MARTINEZ
In many of the schools in Medellín, English is taught from very basic grades, teaching colors, names of animals, pronouns and even verbs. But in many cases it is still a responsibility to learn simply to win the subject and not have problems at home, because you have to do it or because that, I only have to see him 4 hours a week. In the need to communicate and learn from other people is that you see the usefulness of this matter, many times a child does not see relevance because all the friends speak the same language as one, who knows more and more people, and why not realizes that there will come a time when a means by which to express ideas and understand those of the other will be necessary, but they are nothing more than strange words for a child, expressing something that they already know how to say in their language, being so dont have much sense.

Full article->

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