The community of subject of collective reparation of Arenillo, in Pradera, Valle, which are also part of La Ruiza and Los Pinos, received a bus type CHIVA and school provision as part of its repair.

The hoarse and powerful whistle of the white bus was warning the novelty: Arenillo, Pradera, premiered means of transport. The bus for 50 people, full with inhabitants of the different paths of this population, climbed for the first time the steep mountain and, despite the mud that the winter leaves, it arrived at Los Pinos, its highest part.

"You do not imagine what this is for us, it is that transportation does not arrive here. To get there and go out we have to pay a motorcycle and we go $ 24,000, "said Jaime Jimenez, leader of the Pines. The other option is to take the pathway on foot, in tours of at least two hours.

The arrival of the bus to the town was a celebration. It was dressed with a passacaglia made by the community for the occasion and on its first trip it had community prayer and spontaneous songs.

Francisco Güefia, president of Arenillo Community Action Board, explains that the idea is for this bus to make scheduled trips so that the inhabitants of area can easily and economically get off.

But the big dream has other colors. "We want to take advantage of it for tourism, to get it played with productive projects that benefit the community. Over here there are beautiful viewpoints and we have the trout farming, "he says with hope.

The vehicle will be managed by Asomera, Association of Rural Women Entrepreneurs of Arenillo. With a cost of $ 260 million, it was delivered by Victims Unit as part of the measures of reparation to this community.

And it is that Arenillo, La Ruiza and Los Pinos constitute something that is called subject of collective reparation, which in simple words means that the state recognizes that they suffered a collective affectation in the framework of armed conflict.

This territory suffered for five years (Between the end of 1999 and 2005) confinement by self-defense groups, which not only sowed death and fear of region, but also altered its normal life. Their productive activities suffered a drastic brake, their organizations and leaderships were seriously injured and their customs limited.

Juan Felipe Acosta, advisor to the General Directorate of Victims Unit, explained that with measures such as this delivery, what they seek is to contribute to the reconstruction of that life affected by the war.

"It is not just about providing a mobility solution, but to offer a mechanism that serves to strengthen local practices, to give a boost to their economy." Parallel to this, school and kitchen supplies were delivered for $ 43 million for the Mercedes Abrego educational institution, Alfonso López Pumarejo campus.