[Hermes Carreño Estevez]
[Santa Rosa del Sur December 2016]
Good day.
Persistence and decent life in the south of Bolívar.
About 10 years ago had in this beautiful part of Colombia
24 farming families, all born here
unique idea:
to protect our water and our animal species.
We did not know how and often did not get on,
we lacked concrete ideas,
until this beautiful idea came true,
as we wanted to implement it.
We learned about professors, biologists and environmental specialists,
who told us
the mountainous area of Serranía de San Lucas is unique in the world,
that this would not happen again
and that here is a unique fauna
and native animals exist.
It sparked a sense of responsibility to protect them.
But we had no specific reason
until we understood, investigated,
and we were told
that these animals work with us,
because they sow seeds.
Someone contradicted:
“I do not see a spit and a shovel to sow trees”.
But every time you eat a fruit,
They sow trees there, where they excrete the feces again.
And so we felt the desire to protect her,
because they really supported us too.
We noticed that we could not survive without water in the area.
In Colombia, as elsewhere in the world,
There are already no more water in some places.
The people there are experiencing incredible things,
but in this wonderful mountain range of San Lucas
There is plenty of water.
Someone said, “Please,
They have an immense responsibility to preserve and protect.
Because if you do not,
you have to go away someday
and can neither stay in the field nor lead a decent life. “
So 24 families got together,
they gave us this land in a place called Cerro 1800,
the second highest point of the mountain range of San Lucas,
after the highest point, the Teta de San Lucas, called.
We started to protect this place,
this water wonder with huge dimensions
and the greatest value to all of us residents.
There are different rivers,
which are very important for the region,
including the Río Boque.
About 10,000 people benefit from these protected waters.
This is how we came up with our initiative to preserve this region.
We encountered very strong interests in front of such obstacles,
both internal and external.
So we had to decide:
protect, step aside, or do something?
And …
No, we will protect that!
We had a lot of headwind, but we also got friends,
the academy, representatives of the community,
many communities,
very important social organizations in the region,
who support us,
and we take on the task together,
to protect the environment.
That gives us huge joy in our personal lives.
Honestly, we do not get any money for that,
But the best thing is to be able to free a species
and preserve them in their natural habitat.
I tell you, it’s like that
as if you were hot and refreshed with water.
When we work there, our heart grows all day with ecstasy,
enthusiastic about the realization of such a great work,
how to do something for the environment.
We recognized in this way,
that this allows our children to stay here in the area,
we noticed that we can not live without water,
we noticed that we were without water
can not do business
and that this work inspires us,
since we hereby realize and strengthen this social work.
Lastly, I want to tell you
that we want to invite you all
to visit the mountain range of San Lucas,
to get to know this beautiful place where you are welcome,
we want you to get to know these natural wonders here.
We have many animal species here,
many beautiful, resident animal species,
where you will enjoy your view alone,
already at the sight of the mountains of San Lucas,
the clouds, the rain.
United as a family to protect this fabulous piece of land,
it strengthens our soul to continue working on the project.
So I can tell you that because of this work
my son can study now,
in a large university in Colombia.
I did not think that my son would get that far
but thanks to our work in favor of the environment, the doors opened for him.
I can affirm that maintaining and respecting the environment pays off.
Many Thanks.
(Applause)
”
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