© UNHCR / Helena Christensen
Maribeth was displaced from the department of Chocó, on the pacific
coast of Colombia, when she was 7-years-old and armed guards shot
and killed her mother and sister. Now 41, she has never returned to
her home town. She lives in Altos de la Florida, an informal settlement
on the outskirts of Bogotá, with no access to running water, schools or
healthcare. She works as a cook and a traditional dance teacher, and
dreams of opening her own traditional Chocó restaurant in Bogota and
running more dance classes for children. 'When I dance my spirit is free
and I am in another world'. UNHCR is working to have the settlements
legalized so that the municipality will provide services to the community.