WHY COLOMBIA ?

The Colombian conflict, in a country with a problematic topography of mountains and jungles, is infinitely complex. From university professors to charity leaders, via international cooperation agencies and human rights militants, we have heard the word “complejo – complicated” endlessly.

And this conflict is complicated, that’s the least we can say, in particular given its duration, over 50 years, and its source of funding: narcotics-trafficking and the large number of protagonists. Guerrillas from the FARC, EPL, ELN, M-19 (respectively: Marxists, Maoists, Guevarists and nationalists), indigenous guerrillas and those of African descent (who we never hear about) fight or have fought for reasons which have an ideological basis. Paramilitaries with their penchant for the extreme right united under the AUC banner (United Colombian Self-defence) and have now converted to BACRIM (meaning Bands of Emerging Criminals). They are keen to control the territories and specialise in drug-trafficking, prostitution and kidnapping, in particular.

Here in Colombia we don’t talk about civil war, but rather armed conflict. We thought we were arriving in a post-conflict country. That is not the case. Everyone agrees that whilst violence has abated, Colombia is “post-agreement” or in transition. In 2016, a peace treaty was finally signed between the government of Santos and the FARC (which transformed into the FARC political party), but clashes continue in certain regions between the governmental army and the ELN guerrillas, other paramilitary groups, the BACRIM and FARC dissidents.

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The problem of child soldiers in Colombi

Virtually all of the armed groups have recruited children as soldiers, both in villages and in towns. Almost 18,000 have been recruited in total.
With criminal gangs, we also see the notion of the criminalised child appearing (informants, drug dealers, or, even worse, sicarios – contract killers, etc.) who should also be treated as child soldiers. Their total number is unknown.

The victims of the conflict

Like we said, Colombia is a country in transition. Until now, in 50 years, the conflict has claimed more than 260,000 lives (82% of which are civilians), 45,000 people have disappeared, almost 8 million internally displaced, thousands of child soldiers (almost 18,000), an incalculable number of war widows and orphans. It is also, the second most mined country in the world after Afghanistan.
But here in Colombia, we also talk about a silent conflict which is superimposed on the armed conflict: narcotics-trafficking which continues to threaten peace.

ART-THERAPY : MORE THAN JUST AN ART WORKSHOP!

WAPA supports the two art therapy projects of its local partner, in the two reintegration centers welcoming demobilized adolescents from guerrillas and other armed groups: the” Arteuma “project in Cali and” Kuakumun “in Medellin.

Music sessions, dance, visual arts, theater, embroidery … much more than just a distraction from their schedule. They make it possible to develop both personal and social skills:

  • get to know each other better, regain self-confidence, discover talents and explore new prospects for the future beyond carrying weapons;
  • learn to control aggressiveness, develop tolerance, patience and concentration;
  • heal his wounds and go ahead, learn to build instead of to break down;
  • work in a team, respect differences, enter into relationships with others without rivalry;
  • overcome their embarrassment;
  • create friendships …

These sessions are accompanied by outings and artistic events: presentations of artistic work to other young people in society, meeting with professional artists, visit to a museum … These exchanges are beneficial to them, make them proud and allow them to be considered other than as ex-child soldiers.

SPORT-THERAPY: FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF!

Our project aims to strengthen our psycho-social support strategy of art therapy by adding a sports therapy component. The project is being run by an interdisciplinary team of psycho-social workers and professional sports coaches. The project includes, among other things, weekly introductions to and practice of 3 sports: football, swimming (aquatic exploration) and martial arts; training sessions, meetings with top sportsmen and women, the purchase of sports equipment, sports and educational outings and the organisation of a tournament.

Why sport? Because mental well-being also involves the body. Because young people are very interested in sporting activities.

Through sport, young people can :

  • strengthen their interpersonal skills and learn how to rebuild relationships
  • increase their self-esteem and social skills
  • enhance their psychosocial skills
  • learn to get involved in projects
  • learn to work collectively
  • regain a healthy lifestyle
  • learn to take account of their own limits
  • learn to accept their bodies

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND FUNDERS, AIR FRANCE FOUNDATION AND PURESSENTIEL FOUNDATION, WHO ENABLED US TO FINANCE AND LAUNCH THE SPORT-THERAPY PROGRAMME IN CALI IN 2023, AND TO THE UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE TAKEN OVER THE SUPPORT IN 2024.

THANK YOU TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIXENSART, WHICH HAS SUPPORTED ART THERAPY IN CALI FOR MANY YEARS.

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