THE TEAM We are a group of locals and foreigners interested in doing a difference in Acacías. We are all here to learn, share and create.
We think it’s possible to make a change in any corner of the world.
THE DREAM New Western officially opened its doors in March 2016, when Johana and Stig started giving English classes to locals and Spanish classes to travellers. The project now has many students and volunteers coming from all corners of the globe.
Bienvenidos a Acacias y al New Western. Uno de nuestros voluntarios Kurtis Selander hizo este video, promocionando la belleza de este pueblo que queda a más o menos 146 kms de Bogotá, por la ruta del #embrujollanero, queremos tambien mostrarles lo que nosotros hacemos.Conozcanos y hagan parte de la primera comunidad internacional en Acacias.
THE SITUATION Meta is a virgin land, rich in natural resources and biodiversity. Unfortunately, years ago it was strongly affected by the armed conflict, which caused stagnation in both economic and social growth, leaving a very poor society with very little opportunities. Years later, the violent conflict in this area was eradicated, but the big companies and multinational firms decided to take over this land to exploit their natural resources, so a new problem raised in the society. Lots of money came from petroleum companies and natural resources exploitation industry, a fast economic grown that did help some people getting money, but it was never a sustainable grown, and it was a terrible situation if you look at it in social and environmental terms. The last years with the world oil crisis lots of people lost their jobs and as they are not educated to do something else, there is a big social problem raising.
Now is time to recover the roots, to admire and take advantage of the natural treasure of this land, and make this a touristic place, but doing it with social responsibility and teaching people about looking after the natural resources.
We believe that by teaching English we can increase the tourism, a tourism with culture, a social tourism that will benefit everyone.
THE TOWN The warm-weather town (/small city) is located 30 minutes away from Villavicencio, the capital of Meta. Acacías is located between the Andes Mountains and the plains (El llano).
THE NATURE Acacías is between the Andes and the plain, and there are a lot of green nature with beautiful flowers, fascinating insects and wild animals to explore outside of the city centre. Río Acacías is located 200 meters from our property.
