Around 60 victims of the internal armed conflict who are older than 60 gathered in Bogotá to share experiences, knowledge and emotions in an event called ‘Transformative Memories’, organized by the Victims Unit. They received a dignifying letter where it is acknowledged that the damages they suffer within the framework of the internal armed conflict should have never happened.

Around 60 victims of the internal armed conflict who are older than 60 gathered in Bogotá to share experiences, knowledge and emotions in an event called ‘Transformative Memories’, organized by the Victims Unit. They received a dignifying letter where it is acknowledged that the damages they suffer within the framework of the internal armed conflict should have never happened.

This ‘different and special day’, as the participants defined it, helped identifying the difference between ageing and old age. With videos, music, and readings, the victims discussed several matters related to comprehensive reparations. In Colombia, around 800,000 victims are older than 60. 

They talked about savings, budgets and their life projects during the old age, and also reflected on the best way to invest the amount received as part of their administrative compensation. The older persons also played guessing games, laughed at jokes and sang in those moments saved for cultural interchanges.

‘Victims also received information and reviewed their processes of comprehensive reparation,’ said Jorge Orlando Sánchez, Victims Unit’s territorial director in Cundinamarca, Tolima, Boyacá, and Bogotá. ‘Moreover, we showed the institutional availabilities so as they knew them and solved their doubts,’ he stated. The District Secretariat of Social Inclusion also participated in the event.