Author: Aura Lucía Torres Niño
In today’s story, we will get to know Catherine Disney Ramírez Alfonso, a teacher for people with diverse abilities. She is a dancer, a mother, a daughter, and a sister from Sibaté, where she has lived for 35 years.
“I like living in Sibaté; I feel very happy and at peace here because nature is so close by, especially if you want to disconnect from the everyday routine.
However, there is a serious pollution problem, and I think action needs to be taken. I believe my territory needs more attention given to the environment and to children. We can invest in infrastructure, urbanize, and carry out all kinds of development, but we are taking too much away from nature.
I think we need to value children’s voices. If we teach them that their voice matters, they will take ownership of it, become confident individuals, and be able to express what they know and take care of their land. If we give importance to their voice through teaching, in the classroom, we empower them to believe in themselves.
When you work with children, you influence them from an early age in ways that can have an impact on Sibaté and beyond. It’s like a small grain of sand that you can contribute—helping children develop environmental awareness, respect for others, love for others—not stepping over someone else, but instead, always realizing that change begins with oneself. And if we can plant those little seeds, the change can be greater, and starting from childhood is very important.
What keeps me living here in Sibaté? My son. He is a very calm, sensitive, and family-oriented child. He thinks a lot about his family when making decisions. If he creates music, he thinks about how it will bring us together as a family. He has many opportunities. He has the cultural center, he can do sports, and everything is nearby. So as long as I can, I’ll stay here so that he can grow up in peace and have the tools he’ll need as an adult to face whatever comes his way. That’s the reason—my son.
I love Sibaté. I’ve lived here for years. We must continue to care for it and contribute in different ways—not just individually, but collectively. I believe that if we come together, big changes can happen here.”
