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The war on drugs and oil issues in Colombia, South America, are killing and displacing millions of indigenous peoples. Most villages have little or no medical care and educational resources. Their culture is lost and forgotten and thousands of women suffer from discrimination and domestic violence.

Yaneth Perez, president of the organization Dawn of Women for Arauca, spoke to Sentinel High School students in April as a guest of Amnesty International. She informed students about the situation and the struggle to provide medical attention to the people of Arauca, Colombia.

Perez is one of the four founders of the society. Sonia Lopez, who spoke at Sentinel last year, and two other women named Deyanira and Mayola, founded the organization with Perez in November of 2004. Still growing, membership is up to

38 women who help the people of Columbia.

Perez started her work at 17, helping to provide schools, teachers, housing and medical care to Araucans. Initially many people made efforts to fight back, but paramilitary troops, the Colombian government's soldiers who do the “dirty work,” abused, fought with and killed many of the people, she said.

Although Perez has only attended high school, she has made a complete career and lifestyle out of the organization. The women spend much of their time organizing the building of schools and hospitals and providing help to Colombians. Members not only stress the importance of human rights for women, but also educate men, informing fathers, uncles, brothers and sons about how to take a stand.

Even Perez's children are making efforts to help. Her oldest daughter participates in a student organization. Other women's organizations in area villages are making efforts, as well.

Taking part in the organization is dangerous. Members risk going to jail or possibly being killed. Even after all the hard work, little to no improvement has been made, Perez said, because the war and violence are getting worse.

The Montana Human Rights network communicates with the Colombians and provides funds and support. If you'd like to learn more about the program or help, write to the Montana Human Rights Network, P.O. Box 1222, Helena, MT 59624 or visit the Web site at www.mhrn.org.

Juanita Gardipee is a Sentinel sophomore and is fine arts editor of the school's student newspaper, the Konah.

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