Colombia, 2010

The Colored Pencil Project headed to various schools, orphanages and rural villages in Colombia. Unicef has defined the following as issues facing children in Colombia:

  1. Approximately 3 million people (75 percent of them women and children) have been internally displaced by violence in the past 15 years. In 2004 alone, more than a quarter million people were forced from their homes. Displaced populations have little access to safe water and to basic health and educational services.
  2. Despite a law prohibiting the use of children under age 18 in the National Army, there are still an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 child soldiers in urban militias and other armed forces.
  3. Landmine use is increasing, posting significant risks to women and children. Landmines kill at least three people in Colombia each day.
  4. Native American and Afro-Colombian populations suffer the highest rates of poverty, and are twice as likely to have been affected by violent armed conflict.
  5. Rates of domestic violence are alarming. Nearly 40 percent of women have been attacked by thei male companions. Sexual abuse of children under age 18 increased 56 percent between 2000 and 2004.

The Colored Pencil Project traveled to Bogota reaching 800 children during the summer of 2010.

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