Feminicides, indigenous struggles, trans rights, economic difficulties, police violence, rape impunity, all subjects are taken up in order to paint the portrait of an unequal and violent society, that witnesses every day the effects of radical economic disparities and of a decades-long armed conflict. I cannot count the number of heart-wrenching stories I have heard of murders, sexual assaults and other kinds of abuse. However, this is not an event for self-pity at all, but rather for rage oriented towards action, denunciation, collaboration and joyful support of one another.<\/p>\r\n
My favourite moment was the \u201cCagadero\u201d (toilet would be a polite translation, sh*thouse would be more accurate). There was a toilet seat in the middle of the square, and people would sit on it and say in the microphone what they were metaphorically and illustratively defecating on. It went from patriarchy, rapists and men who don\u2019t recognise their privileges, to capitalism, sexual abuse impunity allowed by the government, corruption, predatory energy companies and murderers of indigenous leaders. It was a very powerful moment, sad at times and hilarious at others. All in all, I have been touched and impressed by this event and by the intelligence of activists who have 10 times more social conscience than I had at their age.<\/p>\r\n
After that, a colleague and I reached to them. We went to a reunion of one of the main groups participating in this event, called \u201cCoordinaci\u00f3n Juvenil\u201d. There we have met students from 18 to 23 years old, smart and with an immense motivation. We discussed about formulating a project together, as they have already started developing some activities: education, taking care of children in small villages of the region, organising events, etc. With some colleagues at Alianza, we will support their activities, help them formalise a legal entity and formulate an articulated project. Indeed, one could not dream of a better implementing partner.<\/p>\r\n
They have become friends and now it\u2019s equal parts party and work. Colombia and Cauca in particular is a difficult context, but my motivation to go to work everyday is twice bigger now that I can use my competences to be part of a process of change and peace construction from the bottom-up, with young people who are bright, motivated and conscious of their role in Colombian society.<\/p>\r\n
Besides, the youth of Santander de Quilichao is also active in the field of art, more precisely of street art. However, this art is just as powerful and full of social message than events and militant organisations. Two weeks ago, the collective \u201cMuros Vivos Crew\u201d painted an enormous mural in the centre of the town, which reads \u201cTU GUERRA NOS DESANGRA\u201d (Your war is bleeding us dry). It also mentions the \u201cfalse positives\u201d, which are extrajudicial murders of innocent civilians carried out by state forces and disguised as guerrilleros killed in the armed conflict, and asks \u201cwho gave the order?\u201d.<\/p>\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/172907188_194916059105832_1983298733192682274_n-225x300.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/173461739_167737065207530_6328531520612349964_n-225x300.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/172971973_122248753223027_6855150434021751710_n-300x225.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/173465100_498667031291457_8998084699148563003_n-300x225.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/171823951_149448150435544_9153368807053058946_n-300x225.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/actionaid.es\/voluntariado\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/173442306_577760539865527_2257557721420210967_n-1-225x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\r\n