Jenny Sky Is The Limit

Yesterday, I explored the moving stories of residents from Bogotá’s Egipto neighbourhood, just 6 km from where I grew up, a place I had never set foot in before.

I arranged this experience through our local partner, Impulse Travel, and was guided by our wonderful local guide, John. We started at The Chorro De Quevedo, accompanied by other keen travellers from Canada and Germany, all eager to discover the other face at the heart of this city.

We began our journey walking along Calle 12, heading towards Externado University, one of the most prestigious universities in Bogota and, in my opinion, beautifully located amidst the eastern mountains. It is remarkable to think that students here pay between 8 to 10 million pesos (US 2500-3000) for the luxury to study here each semester!.

As we strolled down Carrera 4A Este, the contrasts of Bogotá’s social landscape became apparent, offering a glimpse into the city’s diverse fabric: a tangible Breaking Border! displaying the dichotomy of our society.

Crossing the bustling Circunvalar avenue, we caught sight of the beautiful Parish of Our Lady of Egipto, steeped in tradition and history since 1890 for the January celebration of the 3 holy kings.

Our second meeting point was here, where we met Harold, Andres, and Juan Carlos, the founders of the community initiative “Breaking Borders.” , who chose to leave their troubled pasts behind and took advantage of the free training opportunities offered by Externado University, where they received informal training as territorial companions. A training which equipped them with the basic skills to develop their idea through art, storytelling, and community tourism, thus sharing the stories of their lives and neighbourhood to all of us today.

As we walked uphill along the east side of the church, we encountered El Cuadrado, once a hub of gang activity, now transformed with images reflecting the community’s journey.

Since 2016, their collaborative efforts with various local and foreign mural artist, have turned Egipto’s streets into a beautiful gallery of colours, educating visitors about their lifetime challenges and the resilience of its residents.

Egipto neighbourhood, once notorious as one of Bogota’s most dangerous areas, endured nearly three decades under the control of gangs, which fractured the district into rival factions. Gang conflicts over territory, drugs, and resources fuelled widespread violence, casting a shadow over the entire Egipto community. Tragically, back then murder became all too common, with children bearing witness to this grim reality.

Andres shared with us his harrowing childhood experiences, where he lacked positive role models and saw all gangs as his “heroes”, he did no know any better. He recounted how he learned to handle knives and wield weapons for robbery from a young age. He vividly described the adrenaline rush he experienced during his first robbery, where his enthusiasm and bravery was rewarded with a bunch of notes, money that he “proudly” took home and used to provide for his family’s basic needs such as clothes and food. At just 12 years old, Andres found himself thrust into a world of darkness and hardship.

Continuing our educational walk through the rejuvenated streets, adorned with lively graffiti, we came across touching murals like the one depicting Selina, a beloved resident known for her compassion and commitment to the community. Having fled her hometown of Medellin, Selina brought her nursing skills to the Egipto community, where she tended to injured gang members after their confrontations.

We then continued walking uphill, where we walked around by the modest homes of our guides and their families. From there, we were treated to a unique panoramic view of the city, a view that remains undiscovered by the majority of Bogotanos. Today, I feel fortunate to have witnessed this new-to-me sight, thanks to the unforgettable experience.

This community still struggles with significant underdevelopment and continues to face challenges in accessing basic services and education. Therefore, it is crucial to support this kind of initiatives in order to help them secure the funds for further education and create better opportunities for future generations. If there is anyway you can help, contact and support here.

Andres then led us to witness one of the most uplifting transformations in the neighbourhood, courtesy of the Breaking Borders project: a newly constructed football field for the children. (which by the way I forgot to take a picture of! sorry). This space provides a safe environment for them to play amidst nature and foster a sense of community. An area that never existed before when Andres, Juan Carlos or Harold were young children.

In the final segment of the tour, Harold and Juan Carlos treated us to an engaging rap freestyle performance, expressing their gratitude for our support and for spreading the word about their project.

If you find yourself in Bogotá and seek an authentic experience of the city’s lesser-known side, I highly recommend booking this experience either through me or directly via Impulse Travel.

Additionally, consider bringing some extra cash for optional tips at the conclusion of the experience.

Thank you for advocating for forgiveness and social change worldwide.

With love

❤️

 Jenny