Through theater, these children transform their reality into a collective vessel. By intertwining their hands, they give life to a small boat that defies the waters of the Magdalena River, representing not only a journey, but the active search for refuge and the urgent demand for a territory where their childhood can flourish in peace.
This image is not just a photograph; it is a symbol of resistance and an urgent call to prayer. Captured during theater classes being offered in the community of El Guayabo, it represents the fruit of the love and commitment that the Agropegu Association has brought to its territory by forging alliances that seek to build safe spaces for rural communities.
This small boat represents much more than transportation. It is the active pursuit of a territory of peace. The children who join hands in the vessel remind us that protection is a right that must be defended collectively. When the state fails to guarantee security and education, rural communities, clinging to their faith and organization, become the last refuge.
For the community of El Guayabo, the Magdalena River is not just a waterway; it is life, identity, and, in difficult times, refuge. But today, that same river bears witness to the risks that besiege its youth: forced recruitment, persistent violence, and the historical state neglect that translates into a lack of opportunities and dignified spaces. The lack of interest in spaces for recreation, art, and technical training creates dangerous voids that armed groups seek to fill. Recruitment is the direct consequence of a historical debt owed to rural communities.
The most subtle trap of indifference is repeating that “children are the future.” This phrase postpones the urgency of their dignity; the youth of the Middle Magdalena region cannot wait for tomorrow’s public policies; they need love, understanding, and opportunities today. For El Guayabo and its Agropegu Association, its children and youth are no longer part of an uncertain future; they are now their present and their most precious treasure. Therefore, the message is clear: to love a young person is to protect their present. It is to listen to them, provide them with safe spaces where they will not be judged, and ensure that their voice carries weight in community decisions. Seeing them as the present is an act of social and spiritual justice.
We invite you to unite your spirit and intention in a heartfelt prayer for the youth of the region:
- That every child in El Guayabo may feel that their territory is a sanctuary.
- That the power of the Magdalena River may be a barrier that stops recruitment attempts and protects the innocence of those who navigate its waters.
- That doors of opportunity, education, and culture may open.
- That the state may awaken to its responsibility and that community organizations may continue to be beacons of hope.
