Families from the community of Gualara, consolidate leadership and appropriate elements of cultural identity to improve their coexistence in this Tolima municipality.

In order to identify ideas and behaviors that materialize the different forms of violence that occur in the community, the Unit for Victims, developed the second meeting of the emotional support strategy "Tejiendonos", which is part of the psychosocial reparation that It is implemented with returned families in Gualara village of Chaparral municipality in Tolima.

Oriented in an interactive dynamic, women, youth and adult men responded in their own way to the central question regarding the meaning of being a citizen. Carlos Andrés Acevedo, attending the conference, argued: "We are citizens of Gualara community in the Chaparral municipality and we share a territory, a culture, interests and the same ideals".

Starting from these concepts, the characterization of the elements of their cultural roots, customs and behaviors was worked on for the construction of social representations that allow understanding community life and solving any adverse situation through dialogue.

"They are very interesting and appropriate dynamics for these families, who are part of the return and relocation plan that we are supporting in this municipality so that their return as victims of forced displacement can be consolidated and we can comply with their comprehensive reparation plan", said the Central territorial director, María José Dangond David.

The process will continue with an autonomous action scheduled for next September 5 and whose initial purpose is the restoration of the big house, a site that for the locals is the heart of the community and where they are convened to weave all their plans and projects to improve their quality of life. Likewise, within the restoration, the planting of 400 native species of the region is planned as an environmental commitment to the environment.

Chaparral is part of the municipalities with Development Plans with a Territorial Approach PDET in which the national government leads an ambitious program for the consolidation of peace.  

(End/WPG/DFM/LMY)