Carolina Castelblanco Castro

“I REALISED THAT MOST THINGS TAKE TIME AND THAT I CANNOT CONTROL EVERYTHING, SO, I STARTED, AS MY HUSBAND SAYS, TO EAT THE ELEPHANT IN LITTLE PIECES.”

Carolina Castelblanco Castro

Country of origin: Colombia

Occupation: Director of non profit Horizons. State of residency: VIC. Favourite place in Australia: Public Areas with lots of green trees. Upon arrival: Surprised by the feeling of peace and quiet.

Edited by Zoe Gleeson.

Hailing from Bogota, Colombia – Carolina arrived in Australia with a wealth of knowledge in education and development. For 25 years, she has nurtured projects for the most vulnerable in Bogota and now in Australia. As a mother, leader and entrepreneur, Carolina believes that loving, caring, and working together will lead us to achieve a better world for all. In 2019, Carolina transferred the skills and knowledge she had developed from her Colombian project, ‘Horizontes’, and developed the Australian version, ‘Horizons’ – projects with the community. Her work has one underlying value (irrespective of continent): care for others with love.

TELL US YOUR STORY

I arrived in Australia in 2015 following an established and prosperous 20-year career in Colombia. My husband had convinced me to move to Australia where he previously studied his Masters, arguing that it was the right place to raise children and have a great quality of life.

Carolina working with the community

Back in 1994 I founded Horizontes “projects with the community”, a non-profit NGO that began its work with a vulnerable community of Bogotá. Horizontes consolidated itself as a leading organization in Colombia focused on projects oriented to social development, communities and the environment. I began as Project leader, then Project director and by 2000 I became the Director, a position that I held until I moved with my family to Australia in 2015.

Carolina receiving an award for her awards for outstanding contribution

I am so proud of the recognition that some of our  projects received over the years including an awards for outstanding contribution to sustainable development and community work from Siembra Colombia foundation, Green Latin America award for a comprehensive waste management project delivered in indigenous and isolated communities, Portafolio Award to leading sustainability organisations and Leaders for Colombia award by El Espectador newspaper and the foundation Democracy for Colombia.

As exciting as my work life in Colombia was, when my husband proposed we apply for the Skilled Migrant Visa and only make the decision to move if it was granted, I agreed to the idea. I had heard many stories about how difficult migration could be but accepted his proposal because I thought we would not get it. When we did get it, we came here on vacations so that I could see what the country was like. I liked it and agreed to come back and migrate a year later. When I arrived, I felt a mixture of excitement, uncertainty and concern because of my inability to communicate. I started feeling that I had shifted from being an independent woman to being useless and alone. I also felt overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and household chores. A few months after our arrival my son was diagnosed with a condition which put additional pressure on me. This process made me aware of the importance of mental health and the existence of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Carolina and her family

As time passed, I realised that most things take time and that I cannot control everything. So, I started, as my husband says, to eat the elephant in little pieces. I remembered and relearned how to take care of myself so I can take care of others. I began to visit my psychologist, went to ceramics classes, built friendships, and continued with English lessons. I also made my home a meeting point where I started inviting people from different backgrounds to meet and share their life experiences.

When my English got better, I decided to start Horizons PWC along with friends that share the dream of a better world. We feel deeply identified caring and protecting the vulnerable, and within my life experience, I believe these are people with disabilities and their families, migrants and the environment. As its Director, I have focused our energy on three areas: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services, educational programs in sustainability and migrant community integration. Our work has one underlying value: to care for others with love.

Horizons now employs over 10 Latin-American professionals with background in health care providing support work to people with disabilities. We also work with local councils and schools to deliver educational activities on sustainability and care for the environment. To develop these projects, we leverage on both Australian and Latin-American professionals, creating new networking opportunities.

I have a degree in history, a master's in political studies, and now I am pursuing a diploma in counselling. I have published five history books, two children's stories and one methodological guideline for participatory research and diagnosis.

The Horizons PWC’s team

CHALLENGES

Isolation - The first challenge was isolation, the feeling of loneliness and the fear of talking to others because of the language barrier. At first, I was afraid people would think I was an ignorant and inexperienced person, and it took some time before I was able to engage. One of the biggest tools for my improvement has been my engagement with mothers from my son’s primary school, with which I now go frequently for coffee. Today, I have built valuable friendships with people who do not necessary share the same language with me but same values and worldview.

Rebuilding the ego - Coming to Australia in my 40s with work experience, accustomed to a comfortable life and used to delegating chores to others made adaptation hard. It took me some time and effort to be able to value myself in the new activities I had to do both for home and Horizons, and realise I am the same person who communicates in English, even if I have limited capabilities to do it (for now).

Feeling Overwhelmed - Have the patience to “eat the elephant in pieces”. Do not rush. Adjusting takes time.

CONTRASTS 

Culture - In the morning, when I took my children to school, I greeted everyone. In the afternoon when I picked them up, I smiled to them, but for my surprise nobody greeted me. I thought, what a bad day these people must have, I did not understand it. I thought maybe I did something inappropriate. Later on, I understood that they only say hello once a day. Surely, they thought I had memory problems or something like that, and that's why I kept saying hello.

Punctuality - The timing on visiting friends or acquaintances. There is a specific time to come by someone's home. Back home when someone invites you to their home you can stay as long as you feel comfortable and welcomed. We have a warmer approach in Latin America.

Mental Health - I love how physical and mental health is understood here, the issue of prevention, care, and support is really a priority with a range of resources available. Latin America has done a lot of progress but Australia’s approach is certainly one for the world to learn from.

PIECE OF ADVICE

Learn English before coming - The language is essential; practice and learn everything you can before your arrival, because it makes it easier and will save you money.

Passion - Really love and believe in what you do. What you do is worth it, you just need to start doing it and you will see the results.

Take care of yourself - It is normal to feel afraid. It is okay to feel sad. It is important to ask for help if you need it.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…

Carolina wish to continue working in what she like and is passionate about: caring for people with disabilities, caring for migrants and protecting the environment. She sees herself directing Horizons PWC, being a leading organisation acknowledged in Victoria and Australia. She wants to be proud of what she does and how she does it.