Friday, March 29, 2024
More
    HomeWar / Conflict / TerrorismColombia's ex-fighters taught skills for peace

    Colombia's ex-fighters taught skills for peace

    101576595 colombia2

    When Sebastian Cadavid was recruited to join the Farc guerilla group in he had little idea of how it would shape his future. Lured with promises of cars and money the 12-year-old didn't hesitate to sign up.

    Sebastian spent four years fighting with the guerillas, receiving intensive ammunition training – but no schooling. When he was captured by the at 16, Sebastian was faced with a world he was unskilled and unprepared to join.

    “I was sent to Bogota,” said Sebastian. “To a reform house where street criminals were sent. And I had to find a job, in a busy where I knew no-one and had no skills. I was scared and nervous – it was the first encounter I'd had with society since I was 12.”

    The majority – 70% – of Farc members were illiterate, giving the recently demobilised guerrillas little chance of finding work, let alone sustainable, full-time employment.

    Image caption Many of the fighters missed out on school and have returned as illiterate adults

    “Many just go into construction, where the pay is bad and the work conditions are terrible, but at least you don't need to know how to read,”…

    Continue Reading This Article At BBC News

    Stay Connected

    34,572FansLike
    4,123FollowersFollow
    1,739FollowersFollow

    Latest articles

    AlphaDog Hosting Ad

    Related articles