Victims of Buenaventura will perform works of art in an exhibition they will call "Survivors" and that will show the emotional tools that have driven them to move forward, despite the damage caused by the armed conflict. They will be exhibited on April 12, at the ceremony commemorating the Day for Solidarity with the Victims of the internal armed conflict.

At the Garcerá Art Workshop, in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood of Buenaventura, a special day of reflection on what it means to be a survivor of the internal armed conflict took place today. It was a discussion that aimed to construct in a participatory way the concepts for the realization of five paintings that will pay honor to those who have suffered because of the war in the country. In addition to various victims living in this city, José Luis Garcerá, a well-known local artist, professionals from the Victims' Unit, the Pan American Development Foundation (Fupad) and the Ombudsman's Office participated.

The works will be carried out with the participation of survivors of the conflict and will be shared with the community on April 12, when Victims' Day will be commemorated in the district of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca.

Marloby Mina, who suffered displacement, was part of this experience. "When I reflect on what it is like to be young I remember that for many reasons that part of my life was erased, I had to be an adult from very early on; but for something I survived the conflict and I am here. The hard things that have happened to us also give us the opportunity to be better because they teach us about our strengths, "he said. Marloby decided that his painting, in which he will work hand in hand with his son Marlon, will be called "Yes we can" and will reflect "how faith God has been the engine to get ahead."

This workshop was held thanks to the support of Fupad, with resources from the US Department of State.

This year, different organizations, such as the Table of Effective Participation of Victims, the Table of Access to Justice, Victims and Protection and Memory (Mesa de Paro), Fupad, Afro Pastoral, Fundescode, the Mayor's Office of Buenaventura and the Unit for The Victims built a joint agenda of activities that will commemorate Victims' Day, which at the national level is April 9, but which in the case of the District will be extended by two weeks.

The programming is the following:

Programming activities in the month of victims in Buenaventura
Day	Place/Hour	Activity
April 5	Bank of the Republic Auditorium, Buenaventura Hour: 2:00 p.m to 5 p.m	Conference "Look at the deep life". Guest: Jesús Abad Colorado, Colombian photojournalist recognized for documenting life stories in the midst of armed conflict. Invite: Program of Alliances for the Reconciliation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (ACDI VOCA) and the FUNDESCODES Foundation, in partnership with the Bank of the Republic in Buenaventura.
April 9	Regional Center for Victim Assistance in Buenaventura. Time: 9:00 a.m.	Eucharistic celebration for the victims of the armed conflict. Act of homage to leaders deceased victims. Invite: Mayor of Buenaventura.
9 and 10 April	April 9th. Auditorium of Comfamar. Time: 2:00 p.m	April 9th. Discussion on offer for the victim population of Buenaventura.
	April 10th Pacific university Time: from 8:00 a.m. at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. at 4:00 p.m.	April 10th. Discussion addressed to students on Law 1448 of 2011 or Law of Victims. Invites: The table of effective participation of Buenaventura victims. Free entry.
April 11	Auditorium of the Bank of the Republic. Time: from 8:00 a.m. 12 m. Free entry.	Meeting of connoisseurs of funeral rituals of Afro-Colombian black communities of Buenaventura. Sample of songs, praises and lullabies. This activity is part of the strategy of 'Reconstruction of culture as integral reparation of the victims of the armed conflict in Buenaventura', of the Afro-Colombian Pastoral. Invite: Afro-Colombian Pastoral, with the support of Codhes (Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement).
April 12	Néstor Urbano Tenorio Park From 9:00 a.m.	Great act of Commemoration Day for Solidarity with the Victims of the internal armed conflict. • On that day we invite you to attend with colorful clothes, which symbolize "the spirit of the black people". • In the park will be exhibiting works of art made by victims and will be doing a more collaborative with attendees. • Gastronomic sample of Pacific dishes. • Musical sample. Invite: Table of Effective Participation of Victims, Table of Access to Justice and Victims, Unit for Victims, Mayor of Buenaventura, Pastoral Afro and Fundescodes.