2022, Pacific coast of Colombia – in Bocas de Satinga, a community of fishermen, farmers and miners, Carlos Bolaños spends his days on the Patía River. In this region where there are no roads, the river is a means of communication, a market, a source of food and a livelihood. But it is also a battlefield in an armed conflict that has been raging for years.
Mines in the Patía River: an invisible threat
In the North of the Pacific coast in Nariño, multiple armed groups are fighting violently for control of the territory. For the inhabitants, any movement is risky and, faced with escalating violence, Carlos and his wife take the difficult decision to leave. One night, anxious and tense, they manage to board a boat to travel to the town centre, a few kilometres away. But two weeks later, a lack of resources forces them to return home to resume work.
It is midday when Carlos approaches the banks of the Patía River, as he does every day. But this time, his routine is shattered in a fraction of a second: a loud explosion throws him to the ground. He remembers neither the impact nor how it happened, only the moment when he opens his eyes and knows immediately that he has stepped on a mine. The pain is unbearable. His neighbours, driven by urgency and despair, carry him to a canoe and rush downstream to seek help. The wait seems endless: without anaesthetic or antibiotics, the journey takes nine hours. At his side, his wife is consumed by anxiety and uncertainty.
The amputation of his leg marked a turning point for Carlos, physically, emotionally and financially. With three children to support and no source of income, despair gradually set in. But Carlos did not give up and, thanks to his first prosthesis, he regained some mobility. Over time, however, his prosthesis needs to be adjusted, which can only be done in Cali. But the cost of transport and accommodation far exceeds his means and the support he receives. He has applied for a disability pension, but the process is long and he will not receive any assistance immediately.
Livestock farming: a project for the family's future
Thanks to a project implemented by HI and the Colombian organisation Tierra de Paz, Carlos receives psychosocial support, legal assistance and help with his pension claim. He also receives financial assistance to cover his travel expenses for medical appointments. Most importantly, Carlos has embarked on a new project that will enable him to provide an income for his family and support himself.
With his experience in pig farming and the financial assistance he received, Carlos and his family built two pigsties. They then stocked up on specialised feed, vitamins and worming medication. Finally, they purchased five piglets to start their farm. Carlos also set up a composting system to produce organic fertiliser that he can reuse in his vegetable garden, which reduces his expenses and ensures a sustainable production cycle.
For the past six months, Carlos has devoted his days to raising pigs. Although his numerous medical appointments have increased his family's expenses, he has now regained his financial independence. From the department of Cauca, where he rebuilt his home, Carlos now looks to the future with determination.
The ACTIVA project (Comprehensive Action for the Reduction of Armed Violence and Protection of Affected Communities) is implemented by HI in partnership with Tierra de Paz and funded by the Swiss Embassy in Colombia - Humanitarian Aid and Development (COSUDE), the government of Norway and the Medicor Foundation. It provides support to 12,315 people in the departments of Antioquia, Cauca and Nariño.
