About Antonia
Hi! I’m Antonia, a student passionate about the environment, along with economic and political impacts. I have lived in four countries: the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala. Throughout this journey, I have noticed the importance of the environment, its regulation, and what it means economically for a developing country
From an early age, I have been drawn to nature: being exposed to the beautiful countryside of Colombia -where my parents were born- Brazil, Mexico, and now Guatemala. Ever since I was very young, I have visited jungles and rivers, hiked mountains and volcanoes, planted numerous trees, and been involved with environmental projects.
More recently, I got deeply involved in a forestry project called “Go Zero, Go Green,” which is predicated upon preservation of biodiversity, reconstruction of native forests, soil improvement, and carbon sequestration in Vichada, Colombia. I visited the project in May and worked in their offices in Bogota this summer, in order to understand more about the economics and policies around carbon credits.
I have been able to combine my dedication for sustainability, with projects that help the communities in the countries I have lived, where the needs of the people are infinite. I have participated in various community service activities including building houses, collecting garbage, and helping the communities with little to no resources in Gualan, Zacapa where my family and I “adopted” a family to aid and support.
In my free time, I enjoy activities such as listening to music, playing guitar, and taking pictures of landscapes and the things I love. I also like extreme sports that bring me close to nature like scuba diving, rafting, sailing, and water sports. I also enjoy hiking volcanoes or mountains, even ones covered in snow.
When someone asks me for a summary about my personality, I say I am a curious person that enjoys learning from different cultures and truthfully looks at understanding different viewpoints, and preserving them through my passion for sustainability and the environment. I aim at giving a grain of sand and am motivated to do what I can to help for a more balanced world and our future.!
Antonia Maldonado
