CPTnet
May 27, 2004
COLOMBIA: Sing a new song--community-building in the Ciénaga del Opón
By Robin Buyers
The voices of a community singing together echo across the Opón River:
"Good news, good news for my people..../In your bosom, my people, a God has
been hidden/with strength he has lifted his face as he wakes."
It's mid-morning on a Saturday, May 15, and more than half of the community
is here for a Popular Assembly, facilitated by German Plata of the Program
for Development and Peace in the Magdelena Medio (PDPMM)--a local NGO--and
accompanied by members of CPT-Colombia.
A week ago, they had come together downriver in Barrancabermeja, to mourn
the assassination of one of their own. But today, his family and neighbours
are singing about breaking their silence. Not long ago,
they made it clear to paramilitary and guerrilla forces operating in their
area that they were to be left alone, that they wanted no part of a war in
which civilians always pay. Now, with proud parents and
grandparents cradling the newest babies in their arms, they are planning for
their future.
The villages of Los Ñeques and La Florida have decided to unite in a
citizen's process they have named "For the Life, Dignity, and Freedom of the
Ciénaga del Opón." Their focus today is on how to go about economic and
social development, how to build networks with neighbouring communities,
how, ultimately, to build peace.
Halfway through the meeting, a chicken in the La Florida schoolroom lays an
egg. Everyone laughs. German has been comparing the process of building
community to a pregnancy and birth: difficult, but not impossible. In eight
months, they agree to an evaluation. "Not long enough to have peace," says
German, "but enough to strengthen the community." Publicizing their process
will tell the armed groups to be careful, that the community is united.
But armed groups should not be the only ones to hear the community say,
loudly, "We are Colombians. You must respect us."
"Do you know your rights under the Constitution, and under Colombian law as
people who have suffered displacement?" asks German. "You have rights as
citizens and taxpayers. You must knock on the government's door, tell them
that they have a responsibility to support you with schools and health
centres."
Ultimately, the community agrees that they will work for their own
development. They will continue to say no to the war. PDPMM will support
them with expert advice on more productive agricultural projects, and with
human rights education. Another local organization that specializes in human
rights, CREDHOS, will also accompany their process.
The meeting ends as it began, with song. Some of the people have drifted
away, drawn into conversation on the school step, or lured by
the promise of a savory beef stew prepared by some of the women at a house
nearby. But still the voices echo: "What happens in the bosom of
a people who begin to wake up?/What happens in the bosom of a people who
begin to walk?"
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