The park is ours, “I take care of it

Colombia, Andean Region, 20 December 2019. Children and young people were receptive and participative in the development of the activities of elaboration of the mural for the improvement of the environment in sport spaces of the Montebello Neighborhood l. (Credits: Colombian Red Cross Norte de Santander Branch)

Art, painting and culture, joined the community of the municipality of Los Patios, Norte de Santander, with the support of the Colombian Red Cross, who, together with the children and young people, actively participated in days of embellishment and improvement of one of its common areas that works as a sports field and contributes to the healthy coexistence of its inhabitants.

The construction of a mural in the park of the Montebello I community was the result of an action of community strengthening that seeks to promote spaces of encounter between the migrant and the host population, to reduce the stigmatization of the latter, and also to bring the institution and the population of this municipality closer together. To achieve this great result, the institution had an active involvement of sports schools, women’s associations, the Community Action Board, Red Cross staff, private companies and the public sector in the area. At the same time, the children and young people participated in an art and painting workshop with the support of the Quinta con Quinta Foundation, which developed with them the concept and design of a mural that would not only beautify the community park, but also provide positive messages to its inhabitants.

Messages like “Believe in what you dream and it will come true” were thought by the same community members who were happy and grateful for this colorful wall that gave life to one of the most frequented places by families.

In the same way, at the Post of Attention to the Migrant, the Colombian Red Cross elaborated a mural that is composed of different significant elements like a tree with its roots that represents the land and place where the migrants come from; a morrocoy turtle that in its shell carries diverse people with their luggage and belongings, paper airplanes where some messages written by migrants that have passed through this place are still preserved, wanting to preserve those dreams and ideals that represent them. And finally, the mural has several monarch butterflies which reflect the accompaniment and support that the institution provides from this program to the population that in the midst of adversity decides to leave their country and move to other cities and countries in search of a better quality of life.

“Since the construction of these murals there is a greater involvement of children and young people, who were receptive and participatory in the development of these activities. The articulated and inclusive work of the community is highlighted, breaking the stigma of nationalities and their rejection. It was a great exercise in approaching the community, reflecting the work done by the Monarch Butterfly Project, contributing to diminish the differences and rejection towards the community that enters in a condition of vulnerability to the country”, expressed Jhonnathan Pérez, Social Worker of the Monarch Butterfly Project.

These actions are part of the Monarch Butterfly Project, which is being implemented since 2018 by the Colombian Red Cross with the support of the IFRC, and which provides free health care services, restoration of family contact, orientation and legal advice to the migrant population, as well as community integration activities with the host population.