The solar beats down on the fertile fields of Bolívar, Colombia, the place lush inexperienced valleys stretch in the direction of the distant Andes mountains. It is a image of idyllic rural life, however beneath the floor lies a fancy and painful previous. For many years, this area was ravaged by armed battle, leaving communities shattered and livelihoods destroyed.
Saray Zúñiga, a proud Palenquera lady, is aware of the price of battle all too properly. Palenqueras are girls from the San Basilio de Palenque communities, descendants of African slaves who fought for his or her freedom and established a singular cultural haven. They’re recognized for his or her vibrant apparel and their custom of promoting fruit, preserving a wealthy heritage that’s acknowledged by UNESCO.
“I used to be displaced 5 instances; my kids grew up in displacement,” she says, her voice heavy with the burden of reminiscence. “We in Palenque by no means thought this might occur, that there could be massacres and rapes. We have been persecuted, and lots of of my pals on the time should not alive at present.”
Saray’s story is echoed by numerous others in Bolívar. Farmers have been compelled from their properties, their fields trampled, their harvests stolen. The once-thriving agricultural communities have been lowered to ghost cities, their inhabitants scattered throughout the nation.
However in 2016, a glimmer of hope emerged. The Colombian authorities signed a peace settlement with the FARC insurgent group, marking the tip of over 50 years of battle. As a part of the deal, the federal government dedicated to enhancing rural growth and partnered with the Meals and Agriculture Group of the United Nations (FAO) to assist implement this purpose.
A key turning level was the implementation of the FAO-Sweden joint challenge, Territorial Transformation, Resilience and Sustainability. This initiative targeted on enhancing rural livelihoods by strengthening agricultural manufacturing, selling sustainable land use, and fostering collaboration amongst numerous stakeholders. It additionally empowered girls by means of talent growth and management alternatives.
With FAO’s assist, farmers like Saray started the lengthy and arduous means of rebuilding their lives. They reclaimed their land, re-established their farms, and shaped cooperatives to achieve higher entry to markets. It wasn’t straightforward. The scars of battle ran deep, and belief was exhausting to come back by. However slowly, with persistence and perseverance, the communities started to heal.
At the moment, Bolívar is a testomony to the resilience of the human spirit. Farmers should not solely rising crops but additionally cultivating peace. They’re working collectively to guard the surroundings, promote sustainable agriculture, and construct a brighter future for his or her kids.
Saray, as soon as a sufferer of battle, is now a beacon of hope. She stands proudly within the Toro Sonrisa Ecological and Artisanal store & restaurant, a bustling hub of exercise the place farmers promote their produce and conventional Palenque sweets. “That is happiness,” she says, her eyes glowing with pleasure. “We’ve got recovered our tranquility.”
However the journey in the direction of lasting peace and prosperity is much from over. The farmers of Bolívar, with their resilience and dedication, are writing a brand new chapter of their historical past.
Uncover the complete extent of the Bolivar neighborhood’s inspiring journey and the transformative energy of agriculture on the FAO website.
International Day of Peace is widely known yearly on 21 September
