Impressions from our first trip to Colombia
During our trip to Paya, we gained many new impressions. The lives of the local people are characterized by simplicity and the absence of material excess. What particularly stood out to us was their close connection to nature. Many families keep their own pigs, cows, geese, and chickens to provide for themselves and generate a small income by selling them. In addition, many cultivate their own fruits and vegetables. Even on the three-hour drive from Yopal to Paya, we quickly found ourselves surrounded by a variety of plants, trees, and exotic animals. The communities live in close harmony with their environment, which significantly shapes their daily lives and survival. The people lead a sustainable lifestyle: they not only grow their own food but also use water sparingly and avoid plastic whenever possible.
Daily Challenges and Struggles
Despite the advantages and natural beauty that life in Paya offers, there are also challenges. A lack of job opportunities means that not all men can find work, which in some cases leads to alcohol abuse and domestic violence. These issues often weigh heavily on and traumatize the lives of children and mothers at home. Linda, who spent three months in Paya through our volunteer program, also noticed the anxiety and scars these family tensions left on the children. It is therefore particularly important to address these issues in schools and convey to the children that they are in a safe environment where they can share their concerns with teachers and volunteers. Linda’s empathetic and sensitive nature allowed many children to open up to her and feel safe and understood in her presence.
During our visit, we were hosted by Rosa and her family. We were welcomed with open arms and touched by their hospitality. Rosa lives in humble conditions with six of her eight children in her home. While most of the children still attend school, Lorena, the eldest daughter, supports her mother in the household, and the eldest sons have already left home to work in the military. Before our arrival in Paya, we purchased food such as fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, and beans so that Rosa did not have to bear any additional expenses during our visit. We also brought toys and sweets for the children, which they greatly enjoyed.
Daily life in Paya starts early. Our alarm clock rang at 5:00 AM, and breakfast was ready by 6:30 AM. As it gets very hot at noon, people complete most of their work in the first half of the day. After our visits to schools and communities during the day, we were often warmly welcomed in the afternoons with fruits and other snacks. In the evenings, we shared dinner with the children and the ABC Colombia team. By around 9:00 PM, the day was already coming to an end.
As a token of appreciation, we brought various fruit trees, including avocado, orange, mango, and lemon trees, for Rosa and her family, as well as for the schools and other families participating in the project “Una Casa para Zambo.” “Una Casa para Zambo” is an initiative by ABC Colombia dedicated to protecting the endangered spider monkey species known as Zambo. The project aims to preserve the natural habitat of this monkey species native to the Colombian forests. At the schools, we planted the fruit trees together with the children in their schoolyards – a wonderful joint activity!
Thank you!
Our partners from ABC Colombia were an enormous support in preparing for our visit. They not only organized transportation and our accommodation with Rosa and her family but also provided the fruit trees for the local families. Andrea, Angi, and Lorena from ABC Colombia accompanied us on our school visits and also served as points of contact for Linda. Thank you so much for your great support!
The trip to Paya was an impressive experience. We are very grateful for the opportunity to get to know the community better and look forward to seeing them again soon!