by Arman Habegger

The first Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation to Nariño province spent three days in Bogotá and a week in Nariño, meeting with representatives from Awa and Afro-Colombian communities, as well as human rights and government organizations. Because of the harsh punishment that Colombia's tragic, unending conflict has imposed on the Awa and Afro-Colombian communities, I began to ask each of the people with whom we met, "In the context of the violence in Nariño, what gives you hope?"

The government Human Rights ombudsman smiled upon hearing the question, and then said, "The people of Nariño are known for their hard work, and that is a strength of the province."

At the Nariño's teachers union, a volunteer with the organization noted that their work "lets us be close to the people in the community and share their danger. We have deep longing for another type of Colombia." Another volunteer emphasized that Colombia is a very rich country and "we want equity in what Colombia produces."

The department's (province's) Peace Counselor told us that his office is identifying substitute crops for several regions of the department. He praised Nariño for its social and community organizations "that serve as the great hope for Nariño."

After Indigenous Awa elders said their concern is their long-term survival, one member expressed his hope that they would "have land to continue living as Awa people." They long for peace and they hope the international community will intervene to prevent their disappearance as an Indigenous people. The elders also shared a strategic plan emphasizing dignity, human rights and territorial rights. Several elders spoke of a common hope-that they would witness peace and resolution of displacements. "Our hope is in our organization-500 years of oppression, slavery, killings, displacements, but we're still surviving and building a better life for our people," they said.

Afro-Colombian council members echoed similar sentiments. They hope for an end to subjection and for the opportunity to maintain their culture. One gentleman observed, "Our struggle is shared throughout the world, we are a common people who suffer like others suffer around the world."

In contrast to the quiet determination of many of our presenters was the confident voice of a Colombian Army lieutenant colonel. His hope manifests itself in an "enormous desire to be Colombian, and a gratitude to the army for the way it has handled the conflict for so many years."

Our delegation came away from these exchanges impressed that in a land marked with violence, people continue to wage a nonviolent battle for peace and security for their families. They long for that day when their hopes become reality, and in the meantime, they do whatever they can to help that day arrive.

May 2008 Nariño delegation members included Julian Gutierrez (CPT Colombia); Paul Neufeld-Weaver (Bluffton, OH); Richard Geiger and Arman Habegger (Pandora, OH), and Hannah Redekop (Floradale, Ontario).