In my travels through and stays in many U.S. cities and several world cities, I continue to learn from the intersection of culture, class and lifestyle. One thing that resonates with me are the similarities of neighborhoods that are of the same socio-economic make-up of the Bronx neighborhood where I grew up. In other words, “a ‘hood” is “a ‘hood” wherever you go. It can be the South Bronx, Bed-Stuy, South Central L.A. or even La Comuna 13 here in Medellín.

I visited the latter this week. La Comuna 13 is a collection of 18 neighborhoods famous for its vibrant graffiti murals. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous areas in Medellin.

Guerrilla activity, excessive response by the government, and the influx of displaced peoples from disparate background are all part of the history as to why La Comuna 13 is a bad neighborhood. The stories are both complex and interesting.

I’m in the process of writing the first of a few blog posts on it now, but first I’d like to share something else with you. My fascination with culture and travel is what has given birth to the blog GrupoAmos on Colombia, which as you probably know by now, is all about Colombia and its culture.

But I’ve had limitations. Not all of the stories, like that of La Comuna 13, happen to be a $3 cab ride from where I live. Exploring Colombia as I would like will take financial resources. Therefore, I am proud to announce the GrupoAmos on Colombia blog sponsorship program.

Below, I’ve detailed various giving levels and corresponding thank-you gifts that you will receive in appreciation for your support.

Sponsorship Levels – Gift Acknowledgement Packages

Patron: $50 – $250

• Specific mention in blogpost
• Package of specialty Colombian coffee

Bronze: $251 – $500

• Specific mention in blogpost
• Package of specialty Colombian coffee
• Regional-specific artisanal object

Silver: $501 – $750

• Specific mention in blogpost
• Package of specialty Colombian coffee
• Regional-specific artisanal object
• Indigenous product specific to Colombia or subject region

Gold: $751 – $1,000

• Specific mention in blogpost
• Package of specialty Colombian coffee
• Regional-specific artisanal object
• Indigenous product specific to Colombia or subject region
• Additional product or craft specific to Colombia or subject region

Platinum: $1,001 – $2,500

• Specific mention in blogpost
• Package of specialty Colombian coffee
• Regional-specific artisanal object
• Indigenous product specific to Colombia or subject region
• Additional product or craft specific to Colombia or subject region
• Artwork specific to Colombia or subject region

Alternatively, you can support specific activities, such as trips to remote towns, or the design and construction of the new GrupoAmos website. Project modules and their budgeted expense are detailed below.

Project Module – Cost

Website creation and blog redesign – $800

Guest blog posts – $50

Blog Post Translation – $35

Individual post marketing activities – $50

Regional trips – $1,000

• R/T airfare for two (me and an assistant)
• Fee for assistant (asst. will help with logistics and information-gathering in the field. Additionally, traveling to parts of rural Colombia alone is not always advisable
• Lodging for two
• Avg. trip estimated to be a duration of 5 days and 4 nights
• Meals

Ten percent of all contributions will be donated to Mental Health America of Lancaster County. MHA, helped me overcome challenges, enabling me to move to Colombia and live a healthy life.

Contributions can be made via PayPal to the email greggo@grupoamos.com, or by check payable to Gregory Amos, mailed to 1653 Lititz Pike, #257, Lancaster, PA 17601.

Please become a sponsor of GrupoAmos on Colombia and help me get to the stories of Colombia, and bring those stories to you.

I also ask that you share this message with anyone you think might be interested in GrupoAmos on Colombia.

Thanks in advance, and of course, thanks for your continued readership.

Our first post over a year ago.

There’s a lot more to tell … on Colombia!

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