For the Community

Walking with the San José de Apartadó Peace Community was more than just a service for them—it was a gift they received. The Community is not just Colombia. It is much more than that. It speaks to our natural and human need for community—to be together, to see beauty, to create art and music, to cultivate, love, and protect nature, and to feel part of it. It is not just about the injustices and violence they have endured and continue to endure. What stayed with me most was the serenity, the joy, and the determination despite the circumstances. Their sense of community—genuine, intergenerational, inclusive, familial, cohesive, and tangible, felt by everyone from the youngest girl to the oldest participant—is the true lesson and the true choice. Taking a stand for peace in a world that has chosen war—without forgetting to put that choice into practice every day through everyday actions—is an act for which I have deep admiration. No matter the external context: in the Comunidad, the choice of peace, community, and nonviolence becomes a reality in everyday life. Who is the Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó?The Peace Community (CdP) is an informal civil society organization established on March 23, 1997, following two infamous massacres carried out by the military in September 1996 and February 1997. They are committed to:- not participating in the war, either directly or indirectly;- not carrying weapons;- not to provide information to any armed group;- to publicly denounce human rights violations committed by armed groups;- to participate in community work;- not to respond to violence with violence;- not to accept monetary compensation from the state for the victims until truth and justice have been established.The CdP currently has about 300 members. Why a fundraiser?Because this Community has asked to be protected by Nonviolent Peace Corps, whose presence ensures that people do not feel alone—and are not left alone—serving as a deterrent to violence by armed groups.Operazione Colomba (the Nonviolent Peace Corps of the Pope John XXIII Community) has responded to this request and maintains a long-standing, daily presence in the community; without it, many people would not feel safe traveling the long, winding paths that lead to the fields or to their daily activities.Knowing that people from Italy are dedicated to this cause moves me deeply. Today, the presence of Operazione Colomba is more necessary than ever, as a new historical era dawns in Colombia—one in which many national and international interests are at stake right here in the Gulf of Urabá. We dream of the day when this presence will no longer be needed; in the meantime, it is vital that the orange T-shirts remain visible. Every contribution counts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!“As long as there is community, there is hope”