Every Thursday, community work is carried out in the villages of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó (CdP).  This guarantees the food sovereignty of the members of this community, through the cultivation and care of the collective land.  Some of the products grown are typical of Colombian farmer culture: rice, maize, yucca, bananas and cocoa. The cultivation, as well as the process of harvesting and subsequent processing of the product, is carried out in a natural way, without the use of machinery or chemical products that are harmful to the environment. This community work stands out for its deep connection with and respect for nature and the territory.  Even the animals are protagonists and faithful companions in this process.  Donkeys, mules and horses are the favourite means of transport because of their strength and endurance on the paths immersed in the vegetation of the region. The human being, the land and the animals are therefore elements of the same circle that strengthen each other.

Work and community life represent not only a form of “existence”, but also a form of resistance. Social bonds and resilience find within the Community a fertile ground to grow and flourish, where each person is reaffirmed in the strength and experience of the other: the energy of the young, the wisdom of the old, the new births, the emptiness of death, the shared sadness and joy.  Everything is valued and each experience is a source of enrichment for the Community as a whole. Conflict and violence are confronted through a non-violent process that unfolds every day and where the collective memory of the past helps to illuminate the future path.

The village roads can only be travelled on foot or by beast. Some veredas are located 9 hours away from the Community settlement. Therefore, mules, donkeys and horses are the animals of choice because of their strength and endurance.

Panoramic view of the village of Las Nieves, corregimiento of San José de Apartadó.

PBI accompanying from a position of solidarity and respect.

For farmers, animals are an essential aid in their daily work.

Preparing the fire for dinner.

“Yuca”, a food grown by the Peace Community, is one of the main livelihood products of the Community.

Corn is another subsistence food for the community. Once the cobs have been harvested and dried, they are shelled by hand. Various products are made from maize, such as tamales and arepas.

During the days of community work, the farms welcome the members of the Peace Community who, due to the limited space, make use of practical hammocks.

PBI sharing daily moments.

There are some schools in the villages that guarantee students the right to education.