UNMISS - United Nations Volunteer Profile
Name: Maria Adelaida Garcia Londono (Yes, I have to use first names and two last names and we use all of them!) But I introduce myself here as Adelaida.
A phrase that best describes you: “I can’t do it! If I don’t know how, I’ll learn”.
Hometown/Country: I was born in Bogota, Colombia. So, people in my country would say I’m very “rola” (someone from Bogotá who is a descendant of people from other regions of the country). But since my family is from Medellin, all my habits and traditions come from there.
Job: I’m working as a United Nations Volunteer within the Strategic Planning Unit under the UNMISS Chief of Staff’s Office in Juba, South Sudan.
What are you most proud of regarding your work with UNMISS? I have learned so much about skills I didn’t know I had, met so many different and amusing people, and cultivated friendships I never thought I could have. I have lived in and learned about the country I was studying in college. I have travelled to places on my bucket list. I have brought my own experience from a country affected by conflict to somehow help make things easier here.
What are the biggest challenges for a United Nations Volunteer: “Staying alert” is my new mantra, balancing my insides below 40 degree heat every day, and letting myself be surprised by new culturally diverse experiences. But in all seriousness, I think the harshness of the place, being away from our families, and the work of UN Volunteer being sometimes undervalued and overlooked.
What makes you laugh out loud? Unexpected moments of silliness and jokes that catch me off guard and catching up with my friends and their adventures and (mostly failed) romances!
How do you want to be seen by others? I want to be seen as myself - a good leader and friend who is genuinely present. Someone who listens with care but isn't afraid to speak her mind. I aspire to be recognized as ambitious, as someone curious who is ready to learn and master skills, with big dreams and the drive and strength to achieve them.
What can you tell us about your country that we may not know? Colombians speak 70 languages and we have 102 different indigenous groups. "Tejo" is the national sport and it is the country that experiences most rainfall in the world.
If you could go back five years - what advice would you give your younger self? So many things! But maybe "keep going!" Be kind to yourself, believe in your strength, trust your instincts, let people talk, and learn from your mistakes. Everything will work out just the way you want it to".
Adelaida in her own words: "I have always wanted to travel the world. I found my passion in studying conflict and making meaningful connections with people in the most curious settings. I have learned through resilience, commitment, hard work, and lessons learned (the hard way).
I was born in Colombia into a very welcoming and loving family, learned to dance at a very young age, and now I sing with a band in South Sudan. I love being around fun people, reading, learning, and being constantly mesmerized by the world. I want to keep working in the peacekeeping and humanitarian world, as it is very rewarding (also frustrating, but that's another discussion).
I want to continue growing in this environment while staying true to myself, meeting new people that can challenge me intellectually, and learning from cultures and experiences I never thought I could share."
