Nine Songs and a Band Tour for the Host Organization in Colombia

Usually, a volunteer service takes place far away from home. But during his volunteer year, Niko suddenly found himself on concert stages across Germany. Together with his Colombian band “Candela Mestiza,” he toured through 17 cities in four weeks, played 23 concerts, and raised more than 27,000 euros for his host organization, “CES Waldorf.” This successful change of roles was no coincidence, but the starting point for long-term engagement: already this September, the project will continue with workshops in schools and other institutions.

A Diverse Experience in Bogotá

After graduating from high school, Niko went to Bogotá for a weltwärts volunteer service at Corporación Educativa y Social Waldorf (CES), a social organization located in a neighborhood heavily affected by poverty. The organization offers homework support, courses for children and youth, and social work for the wider community. Niko worked with young people and also supported administrative tasks. Living with his host family, he learned Spanish in everyday life.

Niko quickly realized that CES Waldorf depended almost entirely on donations from Germany — and that funding was often insufficient. His idea was simple and direct: why not use the cultural potential already present in the community? “I said: you already have music and theater — let’s take it to Germany and raise the funds we need ourselves.” The only question left was how.

Music as a Bridge

The key idea emerged during a conversation with his host father Jonathan, a trained musician. What started as a dinner conversation became a plan that Niko could not let go of: forming a band and touring through Europe with Colombian music in order to support the organization financially. Even though many people thought the project was too ambitious, he stayed committed: “I really threw myself into it.”

Together with Jonathan and a teacher from the organization, he founded the band “Candela Mestiza.” Jonathan wrote nine original songs for the band — a mix of cumbia and salsa, combined with influences from jazz and funk. Niko himself played piano: “Honestly, at first I knew almost nothing about Colombian music and had to learn an incredible amount.” At the same time, he organized the entire logistics from Bogotá: contacting schools, planning the tour, and raising money for flights.

23 Concerts in Four Weeks

A few months later, the tour began — while Niko was still doing his volunteer service. Using his parents’ VW bus, the band traveled more than 7,000 kilometers across Germany and neighboring countries. The first concert in Salzburg started off with a challenge: when nobody showed up, the band simply invited people from a choir rehearsal in the building next door.

What followed was a marathon of 23 concerts in 17 cities — at schools, in pedestrian zones, bars, and outdoor spaces. Especially in schools, music and storytelling went hand in hand. Between songs, Niko spoke about the work of CES and his volunteer experience. His enthusiasm inspired many others: “Do it! It’s such a valuable experience, not a waste of time at all!” By the end of the tour, the band had raised 27,000 euros in donations.

A Collective Project and Looking Ahead

Niko emphasizes that this success was only possible through teamwork. He revived the initiative Casa de Colores, a core group of former weltwärts volunteers that had become inactive over time. He brought together engaged returnees from recent years to support the project collectively.

Today, Niko studies bio- and environmental process engineering. Even though he consciously separates his studies from his social engagement, his connection to Colombia remains an important part of his life. This January, he traveled once again to Bogotá to prepare a new project: together with his former host father and music teacher Jonathan, he is planning a new workshop tour through Germany this September.

This time, the focus is on participation and shared experience: in schools and team-building settings, participants will explore Latin American rhythms together, accompanied by presentations about the work of the host organization in Bogotá. All donations from the workshops and talks will go 100% to CES Waldorf. Anyone interested in bringing this workshop to their organisation or team can contact the weltwärts Community or reach out directly to Niko via Instagram for more information (see links below).

What remains is the experience that an “unrealistic” idea can become something real — a band, a tour, and a bridge between Bogotá and Germany.