Where Our Voices Can Travel
Scroll to read the story ↓Olienka Macías, known as Oli, has been part of Alza Tu Voz project since its early days. From speaking about issues affecting adolescents through the Alza Tu Voz Sin Filtro podcast to helping reclaim public spaces in Quevedo, she has discovered what can happen when young people are given space to contribute.
For Oli, two places in her city hold particular meaning. One is where she discovered the power of her voice. The other connects memories of her childhood with the city she wants to help shape today.
A place where I found my voice
Quevedo’s Municipal neighbourhood means a great deal to me because it is where, at 16, I participated in the Core Group’s first podcast.
I remember arriving feeling nervous. You do not have a microphone in front of you every day to talk about something that could touch someone’s life.
We spoke about suicide prevention. The topic was especially important to me because my best friend at the time was going through a difficult period. For me, it was not simply a conversation. It was an opportunity to raise awareness and to think that our words could reach adolescents or families going through something similar – and perhaps help them feel that they were not alone.
Since the beginning of Alza Tu Voz, we have sought to create spaces where adolescents can express ourselves. But that day, I felt that our voices were reaching much further.
That podcast taught me that our voices can open up necessary conversations.
“We may never know how far a word can travel, but when an adolescent finds a space to speak, we are already beginning to change something.”
A place I would like to change
I would like to continue transforming Quevedo’s Central Park.
It has been special to me since I was a child. I used to go there with my family and share moments with my father, who is no longer with me today.
Years later, I returned to the same place with a different perspective through the Urbano workshop. There, I met wonderful adolescents and, together, we helped transform the park.
We continue to keep it active through different activities, but I want that transformation to continue. I would like it to become an increasingly safe, lively and attractive space where adolescents, families and the entire community want to gather, participate and create new memories.
I wish adults and decision-makers knew that…
Listening to us can bring about changes they may not even imagine.
Sometimes, a conversation, an opportunity, or simply feeling that someone takes what we say seriously can make a difference.
“We do not need adults to decide for us. We need them to trust in our ability to contribute.”