LIFE FESTIVAL, BOLIVAR CITY

La Chuchita: Where the San Juan River whispers stories of hope 

The February sun painted the mountains of Salgar, Antioquia, a golden glow when we arrived in La Chuchita. A winding road, surrounded by coffee plantations, led us to a small village where the San Juan River sings melodies of life. Here, amid the murmur of water and the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, live some 45 families, people with weathered hands and resilient hearts.

Doña Natalia Rúa, a woman with a warm smile and a steady gaze, welcomed us with a freshly brewed coffee. She is the soul of La Chuchita, the voice that cries out for its people. "Here we live from coffee, but when there's no harvest, life gets very hard," she told us, her eyes filling with sadness. "Young people lose themselves in drugs, girls are forced to sell their bodies, and children suffer from hunger."

The land of oblivion

La Chuchita is a forgotten place, where the State doesn't reach and poverty hurts. But amidst the darkness, there's always a spark of hope. And that spark arrived on February 16, 2025, with Conectar Global's Vida Festivals.

"It was like the heavens had opened up," recalls Doña Natalia, a smile lighting her face. "The volunteers arrived with games, music, workshops... even a soccer tournament for the kids!"

That day, La Chuchita was filled with life. Children ran around hoping to win a medal, while their parents participated in a workshop on the importance of family. The young people, their eyes full of curiosity, listened attentively to the talk about life plans. The children's laughter mingled with the music and songs, while they painted their faces with vibrant colors. And at the end of the day, everyone shared a delicious sancocho, cooked over a wood fire in the heart of the community.

Let hope flourish

But the Life Festivals are much more than a day of joy. They are an open door to a better future. Conectar Global invites children and young people to participate in a three-day, completely free camp, which this year will be called "Reboot." There, in addition to enjoying recreation, they have the opportunity to reflect on their identity and values based on biblical principles.

It was exciting to meet up again at this festival with a young man and a young woman who participated last year. He proudly wore his camp T-shirt, a testament to the impact this experience had on his life.

The story of La Chuchita is the story of many forgotten communities in Colombia. But it is also a story of hope, resilience, and solidarity.

With your help, we can continue bringing Festivales Vida to more places like La Chuchita, where the San Juan River whispers stories of a better future. Donate now and be part of this transformation.