Students of Quibdó
April 17th, 2008 | Published in Colombia, Conflict, Culture, Youth
“The people here are beautiful. So nice. So generous. I never have to worry in the streets. Quibdó is surrounded by natural beauty as well.”
I’m talking with a class of students practicing English. I figured the simple questions about family, home, and food would be benign enough.
“My father’s been dead for ten years,” one student says with far away eyes.
Some of the students in the class.
“I just live with my grandmother. Everyone else is gone.”
“There used to be five of us. Now just three.”
The spirit of hope still rings out loud through the fog of war.
“I’m studying law so that I can help make a better government here.”
“I’m learning English so that I can study in one of the best schools in the world. To learn about others cultures and development projects, and bring those ideas back here to help my community.”
This desire for progress, for peace, for a different life is pervasive… well, almost.
What would you change about Quibdó?
“Nothing. Quibdó is perfect.”
The Atrato River in Quibdó.
Looking out across the river and watching the skimmer boats zoom around as the sunsets on this scene of tranquility, I think he may have a point.