Voices of Kidnapping

After lots of trial and tribulation, two kidnap victims were released today from Colombia, into the hands of Venezuela. The human toll of kidnapping and the struggle for freedom is far worse than most people realize:

Did you know that an estimated one in three of the world’s abductions occur in Colombia, making it the kidnapping capital of the world? Leftist Guerrillas, who control most of the countryside, have reportedly kidnapped nearly 10,000 people since 1990. The kidnappings have forced highway shutdowns⎯isolating and decimating entire regions⎯and ripped apart countless families. Today, approximately 4200 people are still being held hostage in Colombia, most are journalists, foreign visitors, and political enemies.

One program has become a lifeline to these captives–The Voices of Kidnapping radio program is the only way for thousands of families to communicate with their loved ones and over the program’s three hour broadcast, around 250 callers from around the world call in and voice messages of comfort and hope.

“Over the years, the program has become a brutal record of people’s lives,” says Herbin Hoyos, the creator and host of Voices of Kidnapping. He himself was abducted by the leftwing guerrilla group the” Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc)” 13 years ago. While captive, he witnessed time and time again people tied and bound to trees clinging to radios trying to stay connected with the outside world. “You only truly value your own liberty when it’s suddenly snatched away from you,” he says.

Kidnap victims do listen to the program. Framed letters of gratitude sent by released hostages, once avid listeners of the show, hang on the studio walls. And the radio program saves lives. “Released hostages have told me that listening to the show was the only thing that stood between them and suicide. It gave them the strength to carry on living,” says Mr Hoyos.

Although the two hostages were recently freed, countless others remain among the “vanished”.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

To leave a written message for the hostages, go to Voices of Kidnapping. Choose the name, then enter De (from), Asunto (Subject) and Mensaje (Message) and click on Enviar el mensaje (Send the message).

Visit this website for more ways to help: www.marc-gonsalves.com

Here’s to a a free world! Human rights issues are YOUR rights issues.

Affirm-Aware.org donates to NGO’s working to do good in the world and our profits fund our social philanthropic endeavors.

Kathryn

http://affirm-aware.org