read more from Dan [0]
- General Information on San José de Apartadó [0]
- FOR's statement of purpose [0]
- Volunteer Responsibilities [0]
- Volunteer Requirements
- Financial Arrangements
[0] - Volunteer Testimonies: Blogs [0]
- Training [0]
- Project Mandate [0]
San José de Apartadó, located in Colombia's northern region of Urabá, is one of many communities in Colombia that have taken an extraordinary and nonviolent stand against war, by refusing to support any armed actor involved in Colombia's decades-long conflict. The community has suffered terribly from political violence, mostly by paramilitary groups supported by the Colombian Army, and remains a principle obstacle to the paramilitary's expansion of its violent project in the Urabá and Chocó regions. In March 2001, the Peace Community, whose central settlement of San José was accompanied by volunteers of Peace Brigades International, requested that the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) work to establish a long-term accompaniment presence in the nearby settlement of La Unión. La Unión is the agricultural center of the Peace Community, and has been victim to repeated paramilitary attacks.
The FOR initiated its presence in La Unión in February 2002, with two volunteers and added a team in Bogota in January 2005. The FOR Bogotá team helps generate political support for the team and community in San José; works to increase the visibility and security of other grassroots nonviolent initiatives, including FOR's partners Red Juvenil de Medellín and the Antioquia Peasant Association; supports the FOR's US campaign to end military aid; and organizes for FOR delegations visiting Colombia.
FOR is seeking eager, committed, and skilled volunteers prepared to continue the accompaniment of this living example of nonviolent resistance and support the many other community based grassroots peace initiatives in Colombia. Applications are being accepted for the next openings on the team in Spring 2009. The next training will be in Nyack, New York in October 2012.
"I'm very grateful to be able to work in the community. I feel the same about FOR. Thank you for letting me be part of this project, and for taking care of us. I believe I have walked away with greater communication and analytical skills, and also a deeper passion for Colombia." - Julia Nelson, recently returned volunteer
"What I'll miss of La Unión: The delicious organic food people share with us: beans, eggs, yucca (cassava), corn on the cob, avocados, plantains, and meat: locally-raised chicken, duck and beef, as well as my favorite, tatabra (wild boar hunted in the mountains). What I will miss the most: the people of the Peace Community..."
-Chris Courtheyn, former volunteerread more from Chris [0]
Back to top [0]
here [1].)
- Resilience and the ability to work effectively under intense pressure and stress. It is recommended that volunteers cultivate habits of self-care to manage stress over extended periods of time.
- Sensitivity to and the ability to work with people of different cultures demonstrated through previous experience with people of another culture. Experience in the field is an asset, but is not required. Familiarity with rural communities is also helpful.
- Familiarity with consensus decision-making.
- A willingness to live simply.
- Ability to represent the project in a professional and appropriate manner, in a wide variety of settings.
- Ability to track and analyze information that is pertinent to the safety of volunteers, the need for external support, and/or the opportunities for enhancing the work.
- Ability to work with a computer, for word processing, e-mail, and basic maintenance of the computer itself.
- Reasonable proficiency with writing reports, summarizing information, and capturing stories through anecdotes or interviews, is highly recommended. Some familiarity with photography is recommended.
- The ability to keep basic accounts (bookkeeping) of expenses and transfers of funds.
- Other skills that may be useful but are not required include experience with first aid, translating and interpreting, cooking, and other skills of daily life.
- A good working knowledge of the current situation in Colombia is highly recommended.
Volunteers are expected to do outreach in the United States to share their experience (speaking, writing) after service in Colombia. Back to top [1] Moira Birss [2] (served since 2008) Back to top [5] Back to top [5] For more information or to apply, please contact: Fellowship of Reconciliation
Mayra Moreno [3] (served 2007-09)
Janice Gallagher [4] (served 2006-07)
Amanda Jack [5] (served 2006-2008)
Susana Pimiento
phone: (512) 542-1769
www.forusa.org [Array] E-mail: spimiento[at] forusa.org [6]