Sponsor a child, Child sponsorship and charity gifts » Media Centre » Features » Young Colombians rap for peace

Young Plan-supported rap and hip-hop groups from the war-torn coastal regions of Cauca-Valle in Colombia have recorded a hard-hitting album that has caught the attention of local media.

Called Rap Paz Joven, the songs address issues such as recruitment to armed groups, drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, and despair at the war that rages around them.

Empowerment and optimism

The prickly topic of violent intimidation is touched on by group J.A.O as they rap 'today it is the silence, the silence dominates, everyone going blind, cause 'nothing has happened here.' 'Nothing has happened' is a local cliché for the blind eye that is often turned to the troubles in the area and of Colombia at large.

But with pieces like 'The hope has grown', 'A better path', and 'The change in our hands', the album also highlights their sense of empowerment and optimism despite the circumstances they live in.

Peace building programme

The groups came together through Plan’s Young Peace Builders (YPB) programme, which helps children and young people to work together in cultural and social activities that encourage peaceful behaviour - something vital in an area deeply affected by Colombia's internal conflict.

'This area has been hit hard by armed conflict, with the presence of armed groups of the extreme right and the extreme left. These young people are victims of killings, displacement, and recruitment to these armed groups,' says Alfonso Puchana, programme coordinator of YPB in Cauca-Valle.

Connecting young people

Country Director Gabriela Bucher told Colombian news channel RCN: 'It was about finding a language that is theirs, one that is natural to them and that connects with other young people, and I think this was well achieved.'

Visit Plan in Colombia's YouTube channel to listen to songs from the album, watch a 3 part mini-documentary and review local news coverage.

Find out more about Plan's work in Colombia.