Fabiola Fuentes, who now lives in Forres, said many Colombian people have been subjected to violence and have suffered a long list of social and economic problems for more than 40 years.

It has resulted in thousands fleeing their homes, she said, to escape warring armed groups.

"What is happening in Colombia is an invisible tragedy because we have been labelled as a drug country. People in other countries cannot see what is really going on there," Ms Fuentes said.

Ms Fuentes has lived in Moray for the past three years, having moved to England 10 years ago to find charities that would support poor communities back in Colombia.

She now runs courses in Moray on a technique known as Nonviolent Communication, which is geared towards helping people resolve conflict without violence. She then uses the money raised from hosting those sessions to help displaced people back in Colombia.

Last year, she travelled to the South American country twice to distribute the cash.

According to Ms Fuentes, the communities she works with in Colombia have faced "horrendous situations" and serious violations of their human rights.

"It includes the right to life, massacres, killings, forced displacement, rape, extortion and living in a threatening atmosphere in the areas where they have settled," she continued.

Fabiola (far left) works closely with families in Colombia, supporting them through what she calls 'horrendous situations'.

"This population, which is predominantly female, elderly and children with very little schooling, is continually affected by other detrimental situations such as alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic violence and sexual abuse.

"A large number of families live on less than a dollar a day. They have difficulties in gaining access to food, housing, land, health and education."

Originally a lawyer in Colombia, Ms Fuentes worked for public organisations that focused on providing social investment funding. These institutions were then shut down, with budgets being directed to fund guns and wars.

After moving to England, Ms Fuentes first visited Scotland three years ago when she met her husband to be. She is now married, and has lived in Forres for the past three years.

Ms Fuentes describes Nonviolent Communication as a "powerful tool for peace and partnership" that potentially allows people to resolve conflicts without violence, and break patterns of thinking that lead to arguments, anger and depression.

Her next set of weekend workshops will be held in Forres at Beeches Cottage, on Iowa Place, on March 27-28 and April 17-18. Further information is available from her at fabiolafuentesnvc@yahoo.co.uk or at 01309 671237.

j.millican@northern-scot.co.uk

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