Support My Volunteering Trip to Bogota!

Kaavya Surendra Start Date: Apr 14, 2025 - End Date: Aug 13, 2025
  • Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia

My Travel Story

by: Kaavya Surendra Start Date: Apr 14, 2025 - End Date: Aug 13, 2025
I am an aspiring artist, I am passionate about exploring the human experience through storytelling — whether in writing, visual art, or film. Much of my creative inspiration comes from being exposed to new cultures, environments, and people. Before I had the chance to travel, most of my exposure to this was through others' experiences of capturing their time travelling and volunteering. Travel has recently expanded my worldview and deepened my understanding of identity, which is a theme I reflect in my work.

This year, I am embarking on a self-initiated volunteering placement at a hostel in Colombia, arranged through the platform Workaway. The role is based in a culturally rich and diverse region of the country, Bogota, and I will be supporting the hostel with guest services, local outreach, and cultural exchange. In return, I will receive accommodation and the chance to immerse myself in both Colombian daily life and an international community of travellers.

My intention to document and share this experience through meaningful videography and story-telling. I have recently begun developing my skills in filmmaking and storytelling, and this will be my first opportunity to apply them in a real-world, cross-cultural setting, while allowing the story to find me. I plan to produce a short film that captures not only the vibrant energy of the hostel and its guests, but also the quieter, more human moments — conversations, customs, routines, and the lived experiences of those I meet.

I have taken proactive steps to prepare for this project: I’ve been learning Spanish to better connect with the local community, and I’ve started studying the technical aspects of video production, such as editing, sound, and narrative structure. I’m also researching ethical storytelling and responsible representation, as I want my work to be rooted in respect and authenticity.

Ultimately, this trip is not just about travel or volunteering — it’s about using my voice as a young artist to create work that honours people’s stories and explores our shared humanity. Funding this trip would allow me to develop as a filmmaker, deepen my cultural understanding, and contribute something creative and meaningful in return.
  • Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia