After identifying needs in schools, the library and a home for the elderly in the areas of operation of the Brigade of Engineers of Humanitarian Demining of Colombian National Army, the Giving and Helping organization of the El Bosque University, joined this cause to contribute to the development and well-being of the inhabitants of the department of the Meta department.
Despite the difficult conditions of access to this region of the country, the members of the Military Forces and volunteers of Dando y Ayudando undertook a journey by land and river, bringing concrete solutions to the main vulnerabilities of the inhabitants of the municipality of Mapiripán, Meta.
Colonel Edward Cardozo Osorio, commander of the Humanitarian Demining Engineer Brigade, explained that the humanitarian alliance conducted by the mine clearance specialists and the university organization arose as a response to meet the priority vulnerabilities of the communities where demining work is underway. "We identified basic needs in these regions, so we decided to initiate operations in the municipality of Mapiripán, Meta. The expectation is, in the second half of the year, that we will be able to extend these works to the department of Caquetá," the officer said.
The works included the restoration of ceilings, bathrooms and school halls, the painting of the library and cleaning work in the home of the elderly, to benefit about 1,000 inhabitants.
"With the support of the Humanitarian Demining Battalion No. 4, we fixed some damaged areas, collaborated with the improvement of paintings, brought books and thus contributed to the education of the community," said Andrés Cortés, a Giving and Helping volunteer.
It is important to note that the materials were donated by the IBM Colombia company and the university organization, while the labor was contributed by the soldiers of the Humanitarian Demining Engineer Battalion No. 4, who with commitment and vocation of service contributed to the improvement of these community spaces.
Paola Ladino, from the municipal library support team, said: "We thank the humanitarian demining for this beautiful operation that beautifies the library, a place frequented by children, young people and adults."
Initiatives like this show that joint work conducted by institutions and people is key to building a more hopeful future.
"It was a very nice surprise. The humanitarian demining is collaborating with us with the cleaning of the house of the elderly. We are really happy and grateful; we hope that they will always accompany us with that goodwill," said José Antonio Rivera, an elderly beneficiary.
These works not only represent improvements in construction: they in the same way strengthen the social fabric, promote coexistence and foster a culture of peace in territories historically hit by violence.
Our commitment is Colombia!
Source: Press - Demining Brigade
