Cundinamarca 2015: "Magia Colonial" (inglés)

At the beginning of the year, Hontanar School was proudly invited to the First National Encounter of Schools Colombia 2015. To represent Cundinamarca region. Cundinamarca is one of the thirty two Colombian states, but the most important thing is that there is where the capital, Bogotá, is.

This project has made us think for a long time on how to view a new and a better Cundinamarca. This is not only a project, it’s an action plan that could be carried out successfully. It’s not only a dream, it’s more than that: it’s a new opportunity to achieve a sustainable touristic project. It is based on the improvement of the colonial culture and on the legacy that our ancestors left us. Unique characteristics that make Cundinamarca an attractive region because of its beautiful landscapes and cultural richness that have not been exploited.

Cundinamarca 2015 is a project based on the development of Cundinamarca department (state). We named it “Magia Colonial” being a theme park where people would find beautiful handicrafts, delicious typical food restaurants, big farms, great landscapes, sports tourism, ecological tourism, traditional games, examples of agricultural fields, among others.

The first step was to get more knowledge of the state. So we had informative speeches about the history, the soils, the culture and the economic activities in which several subjects such as Science, Spanish, Socials, Arts and Computers were involved.

After, we went out to the 11 chosen towns, where we did surveys and interviews asking local people about the problems of those towns. This investigation was not only to do surveys and recollect information, it was also to become aware of the reality and to watch the situation of poverty rounded by the most beautiful landscapes.

What we want with this project is to create new job opportunities through out political, economical and social aspects. in order to improve our natural resources and encourage tourism in Colombia

As students, we want to involve in great projects for our community that would become very important for our country and our own future.

Increasing tourism will :

· Develop new job opportunities.

· Have new revenues for the region.

· Take advantage of natural resources.

· Higher the education and life quality standards.

· Improve Colombia and Colombians image.

· Develop every type of industries.

· Create wealth with new resources in the region.

We have all possibilities to improve our resources using tourism not only in this region but also in the whole country.

“Magia Colonial” is not only a vision of the future, it is an open door to new opportunities. it is the confidence to believe that everything can change and we can be better every day. it is a new prospect to decrease poverty and to increase employment rates. Using natural resources, educating and teaching people how to create an enterprise, to grow, to see the world ahead and its opportunities inside the colonial magic and the natural delight of Cundinamarca. that Cundinamarca that we all dream about, without violence and without poverty. An international Cundinamarca known by its beautiful handicrafts, flowers, exquisite fruits, and more than that, because it is colonial magic, the place where life is full of colour.

PD: Escritoras del proyecto: Laura Giraldo y Estefanía Cardona