Pueblos Palafitos, Ciénega Grande
In the year 2000, the Pueblos Palafitos of the Magdalena River endured a brutal massacre at the hands of paramilitary forces——illegal armed groups that emerged in Colombia, often composed of former soldiers or civilians, and were known for using extreme violence to control territory and populations. This attack was one of the most violent ever carried out in the region.
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That year, violence arrived by canoe; 25 years later, books and hope made their journey by the same means.
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This community, built on stilts above the water, is home to nearly 300 houses and hundreds of families who live off fishing & small-scale trade.
The pueblos palafitos represent some of the most marginalized communities in Colombia. Their isolation, surrounded by water and far from urban centers, leaves them without access to basic infrastructure: clean water, sanitation, healthcare, or stable schools. The majority of families live in extreme poverty, surviving one day at a time. ​​​
