Alfalit is now teaching 200 students in La Guajira.
This semi-dessert region straddling the Colombia-Venezuela border is home to the Amerindian group, Wayuu.
The general violent conditions resulting from Colombia’s ongoing 60-year internal armed conflict and its spillover into neighboring countries, especially at the borders, have had a direct and disproportionate impact on the lives of indigenous peoples.
Exacerbated by drug cartels, armed groups, and multinational companies pursuing the rich natural resources in their territories, this serious humanitarian situation has resulted in displacement, extreme marginalization and environmental degradation in indigenous communities.
Of the approximately 1.5 million indigenous peoples in Colombia, it is estimated that 10% are victims of human rights violations.
Today, in all of Colombia, there is new hope for peace as a historic truce was signed between the Colombian government and the largest armed rebel group in November of last year.
Though indigenous peoples continue to suffer as a result of a war-system that can only be dismantled over the course of time, the possible emergence of a Colombia without war, creates immense possibilities for the healing and strengthening of Colombia’s indigenous community.
