Unforgettable.

On October 7^th, we arrived in Medellin where our vasectomy van was welcomed by a ‘honor guard’ awaiting us in the street in front of the Profamilia Clinic. There were balloons and streamers and a a crowd of people excited to officially inaugurate Medellin as a WVD hub. The first official action took place when the Regional Manager put on the WVD shirt. He then invited both his team and awaiting citizens to participate. Tin the next hours, we met men who had already gotten a vasectomy and men who were ready to get theirs done.

In the afternoon, with the objective of bringing awareness of our event to this innovative, hospitable and creative city, we traveled with the Profamilia Youth Network team. They guided us through emblematic places like Berrío Park, La Estación del Tram and Commune 13, with whom we talked about sexual and reproductive health while  doing over 100 “virtual vasectomies’.

On October 8 we set up in the city center, at the Park of Lights. Over the day we interacted with approximately 150 people, including men, women and children.  In the middle of the day, and with the support of the Ministry of Health and the EPM Foundation, we witnessed both typical dances and modern dance.

Known as one of the most beautiful cities in all of the Caribbean, we arrived in Cartagena the Profamilia clinic to the beautiful sounds of a Palenquera – where music, dance and thoughtful words were shared.

We glad to have the opportunity to speak with local journalists to talk about the ideas that launched World Vasectomy Day and why Colombia was chosen to be this year’s headquarters.

In each location we get to share with men whose stories reveal an openness of mind and spirit rarely heard in public spaces.

That same afternoon, taking advantage of the very visual and visible nature of our van, we drove thorugh the tiny down streets of the old city.  People cannot help but to stare and we enjoy watching surprised faces as they read the words painted on our vehicle.

We arrived at the historic, Monument to  the Indio Catalina, where set up our stand, shared information offered virtual vasectomies and saw, before our very eyes, how people can quickly change their attitudes as they open their minds.

Colombians refer to Barranquilla as the ‘golden gate’ and located on the Caribbean coast, soaked in sunshine and filled with passion, our Van-Sectomy was received as expected – with warmth, music and outrageous energy.

We arrived at 8:00 a.m. to the Profamilia Clinic where we were greeted with a Barranquilla Carnival.  The first order of the day was to read the ‘reglamentos’ – these are the stated rules of Carnival, although these were rules adopted for WVD and focused on the importance of male engagement in family planning.

The Queen of Carnival herself announced the arrival of WVD and pronounced that the city must celebrate and so we danced amongst the carnival characters as we entered the clinic. There we met Marimunda, one of Barranquilla’s most beloved carnival characters who got to experience a virtual vasectomy.

Afterwards, we traveled to the Plaza de la Paz, to participate in Sexual and Reproductive Healt fiar for men, where 100’s of men showed up and experienced our Virtual Vasectomy Clinic and participated in education and entertaining games and contests.  Once again, we were accompanied by Profamilia’s local youth organization who put a theatrical performance to debunk the myths and misconceptions surrounded vasectomies.

We have a long trip to Cuicuta and so, although sad to leave this city behind, we are excited to see what lies ahead.

On Wednesday morning we arrived at Profamilia’s clinic to a troupe of local dancers. Accompanied by traditional music, the performance honored the region’s indigenous culture.

The Motilones are considered extremely ‘macho’ so to see them depicted as partners in a social movement that encourages male participation in sexual and reproductive health, is inspiring.

Inside the clinic we interacted with dozens of men – some had already gotten their vasectomy.

Together they record a ‘call to action for the men of Cucuta.

 In the afternoon we traveled to Ventura Plaza, where once again we set up stands and our van, offered virtual vasectomies and enjoyed a series of musical performances that ranged from classical music youth group, Arabic dancers and a clown show.  It was a glorious reminder of the diversity of cultures that make up our nation.

It’s been almost three weeks since we left our base in Bogota and, although tired, we are extremely excited to be in Bucaramanga, a beautiful city as well as home to my mother’s family. 

The creativity of the city’s Profamilia Clinic is on full display once again with a performance by the staff, where we are greeted by an iconic cultural figure, ‘la hormiga culona’.  In the spirit of Halloween, they have prepared a script for a horror movie of a man whose fears of a vasectomy causes him terrible nightmares. The character wakes up and realizes that what he really fears is not the procedure itself, but his own ignorance. 

Afterwards, we hear stories of men who are breaking stereotypes about the very definition of machismo. As with thousands of others throughout the country, these men do not let fear prevent them from doing right by their loved ones and to honor the families that are choosing a vasectomy, the clinic rolls out a ‘red carpet’. 

Later that day, we visit Girón, a colonial town known for its exquisite white houses. Located on the outskirts of Bucaramanga, it is further proof of the extraordinarily rich and complex history of our nation. 

The second day begins at a health fair that has been set up to support the Venezuelan migrant population.  There we share information on vasectomy, counter myths about the procedure, and invite male migrants to be become responsible partners in their family’s contraceptive choices.

That afternoon, we meet with representatives from the city’s Health office in the neighborhood of Florida Blanca. While we share details about WVD, a group of teenagers become heavily engaged in the virtual vasectomy experience.  At first, we are hesitant to discuss vasectomy with such young men, but they are eager to talk about the wide range of family planning options and we are willing to comply. 

We know that a vasectomy is not their first choice at this stage of life, but we all agree that it is important to reach this age group, as it is likely that sometime in future, it might be their best option.  We emphasize that although the contraception choices for men at present are limited to condoms and vasectomies, that communicating openly and honestly with one’s partner is crucial for loving and healthy sexual relationships.

Talking about the future after seeing so much of our country’s past, feels like the perfect way to end our road trip and so we set off on the final leg of the journey home, having now traveled 4,000 glorious kilometers.  And true to the collaborative spirit of Profamilia, and our country, the director of the clinic, her team and the inhabitants of the city send us off with the following message: “This is how Bucaramanga celebrated WVD, and you Bogotá, how are you going to celebrate it?

Certainly, a long road trip through Colombia is not easy, but a sense of pride in our people has been re-affirmed.