Growing up in Paraguay the heart of South America, I always felt deeply connected to the land, the people, the culture, the traditions and the idea that our environment shapes who we become. But it wasn’t until I lived abroad far from home, specifically almost 20,000 km away, far from the familiar landscapes of my childhood that I began to understand sustainability not only as a global issue, but as personal responsibility and a path of growth.
From South America to Southeast Asia: Expanding My Perspective
Participating in the Bangkok Forum was one of the first moments when I truly saw how interconnected our world is and how immense and the word “Sustainability” be. Listening to experienced leaders on different subjects related, researchers, and young advocates speak about sustainable development, I realized that sustainability is not a distant policy topic it is a lived experience that helps us to grow and become committed professionals and citizens committed to change. In Bangkok, I learned that youth voices matter and that we are capable of achieve those projects that can change lives and environment. And more importantly, I learned that “impact” does not require being perfect; it requires being present, informed, and courageous.
Returning Home: Education Service in Paraguay
This past summer, I returned to Paraguay to participate in education service work. Standing in a small classroom with limited resources even lacking basic conditions like electricity, I saw sustainability through a new lens: opportunity. I realized that education is not just about teaching; it is about giving communities the tools to build a more sustainable and equitable future.
This is how we got to “Banco’i Island” Reaching Banco’i Island felt like stepping into a world that time had almost forgotten. The journey wasn’t easy, long roads, unpredictable weather, and moments when we wondered if we would make it at all. But we did, because an incredible team and my family stood behind the project, driven by hope and the belief that every small action can change a life.
Banco’i is a tiny island in Arroyos y Esteros, Paraguay, surrounded by untouched nature and silence that feels sacred. In the middle of this beauty lives a small community and a single school with only 14 students. It is the heart of the island, a fragile space of learning where education stops at 6th grade.
The children here face challenges that many never see: the struggle to access education, the weight of economic inequality, and the absence of environmental protection. When we arrived, we thought our role was to teach them a foreign language. But very quickly, we realized it was much more than that.
We were there to show them that knowledge can open windows to the world, even when you live in isolation. But more importantly, we were there to listen to their dreams, their worries, their questions about a future they can’t fully see yet. Still, we saw optimism in those kids showing how much they enjoy learning.
In those conversations, I felt something shift inside me. I understood that sustainability is not just about protecting nature or systems; it is about protecting people, their stories, and their dignity. Real change begins with empathy. You cannot help a community if you don’t first sit with them, listen to them, and learn from them.
October 19th Discussion: Finding Strength in Dialogue
Participating in the October 19th youth discussion allowed me to connect my own experiences to a much bigger purpose. Surrounded by passionate young people from so many countries, I felt a powerful sense of unity.
We all came from different places, with different stories, talents, and dreams yet we shared one common belief: that young people can drive real change when they are given a voice and the tools to make a difference.
Speaking in front of a Taiwanese audience that listened with genuine interest, support, and enthusiasm was an unforgettable experience. It reminded me of the strength we have when we come together.
Teaching at UEIS: Sustainability in Everyday Life
This journey touched me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me the privilege of sharing my country with the world, its soul, its pain, and its incredible resilience. Standing in front of my students, teaching them about Paraguay, felt like opening a window into my own heart.
I told them about our history, the wounds left by the Triple Alliance War, and the heartbreaking reality of children who lost their lives. But I also spoke with pride about the women who rebuilt our nation from its ruins with strength, dignity, and unbreakable determination. Through these stories, I wanted to remind my students that war destroys, divides, and leaves scars that take generations to heal. It brings nothing good, and its lessons must never be forgotten.
In the classroom, sustainability transforms from an abstract idea into something alive. During the Paraguay Month that I led, I watched my students respond to ideas about
compassion, responsibility, and global citizenship with such sincerity and curiosity. Sometimes sustainability appears in a lesson about the SDGs; other times, it appears in small actions choosing to reuse materials, reflecting on fairness, or thinking about how their choices impact others.
Teaching has shown me that sustainability begins in the tiniest moments. It grows through daily habits, small acts of kindness, and conversations that open young hearts. And when these values are passed from one generation to the next, they become powerful capable of shaping a more thoughtful, more empathetic, and more sustainable world.
