As a child of a Colombian diaspora, I’ve spent much of my life navigating the clichés and comments that inevitably come when you mention Colombia. We all do it—reducing countries to one-dimensional stereotypes, even in jest. Stereotypes, intolerance, and a lack of solidarity with others are the root of so many of our societal issues. In an era when many societies face their demons head-on and grapple with instability and fear of uncertainty, our need for social imagination, shared agency, and genuine care has never been greater. And to be honest, it was not necessarily what I went looking for on my trip to Colombia this month. But it was what I found–a country deep in soul.
A celebration of diaspora and culture in Medellín
My journey began at the Festival of the Diaspora in Medellín, an event devoted to forging relationships and exploring cross-cultural ideas, opportunities, and learning. I connected with people from across the Americas and beyond, engaging in conversations on topics ranging from leadership, social enterprise and community belonging to artificial and ancestral intelligence. All this alongside a backdrop of local fashion, music, and photography. This wasn’t your typical stuffy conference; it was a dynamic celebration of culture, perfectly mirrored by Medellín’s warm and spirited energy—a far cry from Netflix’s Narcos. I genuinely didn’t have a dull conversation with one person I met. As one of my new acquaintances said to me, sometimes we expect gatherings to have action and results, but what if sometimes the most profound impact is far less tangible and found in the conversations or the renewed vision it might give someone?
There was an undercurrent of uncertainty as many participants were facing what the unfolding U.S. administration might mean for their work and their livelihoods. One participant was almost in tears during a session as she feared where to find funding for her work, which USAID had previously supported. But this event gave many, including myself, some much-needed comfort, optimism, and a fresh vision of the value of multiculturalism.
The capital of care
While Medellín celebrated the tapestry of culture, Bogotá revealed another layer of Colombia’s soul. The capital city is the second largest in South America, sitting high in the Andes mountains for nearly 487 years. Here, I visited the first-ever Care Block, or Manzana de Cuidado, an initiative launched by the former mayor, Claudia López, to support caregivers in one of the city’s low-income areas, Ciudad Bolívar. This neighborhood is home to many who were displaced by Colombia’s internal conflict over the years and, more recently, immigrants from Venezuela.
Among the 4 million women in Bogotá, 3.6 million carry out unpaid care work. To help alleviate the heavy demands of this type of caregiving, the city consolidated a diverse range of social services into one accessible facility, known as the Care Block. These services range from child care and community support to educational opportunities and administrative assistance like bill-paying and legal aid.
Originally designed to assist informal caregivers—predominantly women tending to children, the elderly, or those with special needs—the program has since expanded to welcome anyone who provides care. Here caregivers find a secure space to leave their children, receive training, finish their education, and connect with others. They can participate in activities ranging from yoga to learning practical skills like riding a bike, while also receiving support to start businesses, secure loans, or showcase their work at community fairs. Contrary to popular belief, some caregivers also have jobs on top of what they do or want to have the opportunity to work. Even the smallest touches—like a laundry service—reflect the thoughtful details that make a profound difference. The Care Block is staffed with a doctor, nurse, and psychologist, and one of its most important features is that it serves as a safe haven and support for women facing violence.
One of the most moving things I heard was from a staff member who shared a story about someone who was on the brink of suicide, but the Manzana de Cuidado literally saved her life. The need is great: according to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, of the 1.2 million women who are unpaid caregivers in Bogota, 33% report having no free time, 20% have been diagnosed with an untreated chronic illness, and nearly 90% are low-income.
The Care Block empowers families and helps members of the household or community understand the value of care. These services support personal growth, mental well-being, economic opportunities, and civic engagement, benefiting not just female caregivers but all members of the community. The Care Block gives people the invaluable gift of time—a chance to breathe, as they say in Spanish. I don’t think there is a person out there who hasn’t cared for someone and doesn’t understand the deep value of that.
Digital innovation and community empowerment
With 13 Care Blocks now established in Bogotá, including three (soon to be four) in Ciudad Bolívar, and plans to expand nationwide, this initiative is inspiring communities both locally and around the world. I was just one of many who have traveled to see it in action or written about it.
The Manzanas de Cuidado also stand out because of their creative use of technology to deliver services efficiently and build community ties. It is a cross-city initiative, with services provided by 10 major district agencies in Bogotá. It was designed with residents’ needs at its core and led by the Laboratorio de Innovación Pública de Bogotá. The project transformed inefficient, manual data systems into a strong, interoperable digital platform by engaging caregivers, service providers, and technology experts throughout the development process. The Care Block not only streamlined service delivery but also empowered caregivers through more personalized, data-driven support. This enhanced the delivery of essential services while fostering a strong sense of community and trust among caregivers. It’s simply one of the best examples of service delivery, cross-governmental collaboration, and community-centered innovation I’ve ever come across—with care at the very core.
Bridging generations in Ciudad Bolívar
Many facets of Ciudad Bolívar struck me, including the art and murals that are everywhere. But it was spending time at Cigarra, a local pre-school and before and after school care hub, that gave me a fresh perspective into how schools and care sites are not separate places where we send children but are vibrant community spaces. Cigarra offers bilingual education (Spanish and English) and care for children from one to 18 years old, plus sports, music, and more. But it also has a regular second-hand clothes and furniture shop for the local community. And on Tuesdays, the school transforms into a communal space where grandparents come for shared meals and activities, and to spend time with teenage pupils.
Where do we go from here?
I am not going to pretend that Colombia is without challenges–it’s complex (like every country in the world). Right now, it faces continued division, with the Left in power for the first time in decades but struggling to meet the country’s expectations. Violence continues, and a peace process that brought so much hope feels somewhat unstable. Many conservatives had feared that the election of left-wing President Gustavo Petro might bring the instability plaguing neighboring Venezuela to Colombia (of which there is no evidence of this to date) and await their chance in the elections of 2026, with the far right growing in prominence. But what struck me during my trip at this very uncertain point is how Colombia has a compelling vision of what’s possible when communities prioritize care, solidarity, and human dignity. It reminds us that the solutions we need are already being imagined; we just need the openness, creativity, and bravery to embrace them.
Caroline Cassidy is Capita’s Chief Strategy Officer.