In April this year Paz y Esperanza Colombia was launched. It is run by a group of volunteers with a passion to build a peaceful and democratic society, where everyone is treated equally and everyone’s rights are respected. 

Please join me in raising money to support their work. We are hoping to raise £5,000 between now and Christmas for the work in Colombia. I ran the Ealing half marathon on Sunday 30^thSeptember as part of this effort - and so far we have raised 60% of the total! Thanks for everyone's support.

Colombia has suffered over 50 years of internal conflict when over 220,000 people died. It has the unenviable accolade of hosting the most internally displaced people in the world – over 7 million, or 1 in 7 of the population. Many of these people live in extremely vulnerable situations and will never return to their original homes. There is added pressure due to the mass influx of refugees from Venezuela over the past couple of years.

The duration and extent of violence has affected the whole country, resulting in high levels of domestic and sexual violence against women and children, many of whom are still afraid to speak out.

Currently Colombia it is experiencing a fragile peace, and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched last year, which will try and uncover the truth about what happened as well as offering support to families of victims. 

Paz y Esperanza Colombia was launched to contribute to the process of peace and reconciliation, and to and support local churches to participate actively in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, building on decades of Experience of Paz y Esperanza Peru. They will also work specifically for the rights of women and children and to mobilise the local church to reach out to the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

Please join me in supporting this work!

Thanks