September, 2023 to November, 2024
The Yo Me Voy Pa’ España project was an initiative carried out by students of Spanish from the University of Namibia (UNAM) during 2023 and 2024, under the direction, coordination, and involvement of the Spanish language lecturer from AECID and his wife, a languages teacher.
Thanks to the effort and commitment of all the participants, the project, which initially included 28 students, saw only 7 of them demonstrate the perseverance needed to reach the end. Despite the challenges, 70% of the necessary funds were successfully raised to make a two-week cultural trip to Spain a reality, covering over 10,000 kilometers by plane, 3,500 kilometers by car, and visiting 9 different locations across the Iberian Peninsula.
The numerous fundraising activities carried out over more than a year made this achievement possible. From a monthly presence in various markets in Windhoek, offering tapas, desserts, and sangria, to the organization of two live music concerts in different bars across the capital, as well as the preparation of two roasted pigs with the invaluable help of the Cuban community. All these initiatives, along with many others documented in our blog, turned this dream into reality.
Beyond fundraising, meticulous planning was key to making a trip of this scale viable. It required managing flights, accommodations, the itinerary, and the rental of a vehicle for 9 participants, in 15 days, 20,000 kilometers by plane, and 3,500 kilometers by road. A significant amount of time was invested in carefully selecting the most affordable flight tickets, securing the best nine-seater rental vehicle at the lowest price, finding suitable accommodations, designing the itinerary, obtaining insurance, and securing university permits, among many other details. It was an arduous, complex, and delicate task, especially considering that the lecturer and his wife were not travel agents and never intended to be—they simply dreamed of providing their students with a life-changing experience, just as traveling had been for them in the past.
Of course, this project would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of many incredible people in Namibia and Spain. Many Spanish residents in Windhoek frequently visited the markets to help in any way they could. The Cuban community played a key role, offering their space for the first trivia nights at their bar and assisting with the preparation of the roasted pigs, generously donated by Ruben. From Spain, the lecturer’s family contributed significant financial support, as did a few close friends. To all of them, and to many others not mentioned here, we owe our deepest gratitude.
As a continuation of this project, the Cultural Association Yo Me Voy Pa’ España is currently in the process of being officially registered in the National Registry of Spanish Associations.
The association’s goal is to secure 100% of the trip’s funding, ensuring that no student is excluded for financial reasons. In the first edition, the lack of resources prevented two members from completing the process. To prevent this from happening again, the association will work to raise awareness of this initiative and collect the necessary funds so that all participants in Yo Me Voy Pa’ España 2.0 can embark on this unforgettable experience.
Here you can have a look of the next Yo Me Voy Pa’ España 2.0.
This is a video telling what we did last year to raise money:
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