I went to the yesterdays meeting for 2 principal reasons; firstly to get an understanding of the violence in the context of Aguablanca and secondly, to catch up with Leonor of the Fundacion Autonoma and invite myself to her school to meet the children. As I have already indicated in many entries, it is the way of Colombians to start the day very early though Leonor takes this characteristic to a different level entirely. I got up at 4.45am to meet her on the opposite side of town and I was still fighting the irritation and nausea as she described her own routine; rising at 3.30am six days a week and allowing herself the luxury of a lie-in on Sunday when she gets up at 4.30am. I only presumed this hour existed because it says so on the clock not because I have actually been around to witness it. By 6.00am most of the group have arrived and Im summoned to the classroom to meet them. Im greeted politely by around 30 teenagers dressed in pristine yellow tee-shirts and with small wooden crucifixes hanging around their necks. Ive never thought that crosses sat comfortably on the shoulders of rebellious teenagers and ordinarily this kind of overt religious symbolism would bother me but these are not ordinary circumstances and for many people their faith is all they have.

Leonor introduces me and Im asked to talk about my life and experiences. I dont have a stock answer to this question, one that I think would be meaningful to my audience anyway, so instead I invite the group to ask me some direct questions. After a few whats, whos and whys, Im asked to say something in English. Fortunately, I have some experience at this and instead reverse the process and teach one of the group how to introduce herself. We repeat sequential lines of a typical introduction and by the time shes told everyone who she is, her nationality and where she lives (all in a clipped home-counties accent) everyone is in fits of laughter.

The session then moved in different direction as Leonor takes control once more and directs a meditation session. Everyone is asked to relax, close their eyes and direct attention to their breathing. Once she had their complete attention, Leonor read extracts from the bible focussing on the principles of forgiveness, peace, self respect and happiness. This was not just a simple bible class along the lines of Sunday school but part of a premeditated pedagogy used to instill the positive virtues associated with Christian faith. All of these children come from poor homes, many of these children come from violent and abusive homes, some have even committed murder, for them the school may represent the only order and purpose in their entire world.

I had been under the notion that the day was organised for these young people but actually that was only part of the story. Leonor read through a roster and then we moved outside to find a 100 or so very young children waiting for their teachers (or maestros as the pedagogy refers to them). Tiny Leonor stepped up onto a table and led a round of songs with the same Christian themes and human values. Next the teenagers helped the children with their manualidades (practical activities) and in the design of their own song and dance routine for the parents. Throughout it all Leonor remained on stage directing proceedings and issuing points and penalties for behaviour, I thought it was just for effect but actually her assistant Marjory had been keeping score throughout the entire day. The atmosphere was energetic and enthusiastic, noisy and chaotic but above all the abiding feeling was one of love and kindness. To watch these children protect and care for one another in such place as Poblado 2 is intensely moving, it cant but leave an indelible mark on the soul and I loved every minute of it. After 6 inspiring hours, the parents departed with the youngsters but for the young maestros they still had to endure the Leonor review. The teenagers were asked to describe their experiences in terms of positives/negatives and identify what it is they think have learned from the day. During this session Leonor showed her tougher side, demanding respect for the speaker and meaningful answers from everybody. Whilst there was the occasional teenage sulk (inevitably resulting in a points deduction) this conclusion to the day represented an extremely important process of self awareness. The speakers are required to overcome their fear of public speaking and in the process develop confidence and a emotional language that promotes healthy self-expression as opposed to the repression of strong and potentially dangerous thoughts and feelings.

As I indicated previously, I am not the biggest fan of organised religion but that isnt to the exclusion of individual spirituality and faith. The message of Christ taps into a well of positive human values and is the corner stone of the foundations pedagogy. Now I dont know where the line between spirituality and dogma exists for this school and its all too easy to pour scorn on the perceived weaknesses of religion from the comfort of a middle class British suburb. However, if today has been any indication of its positive influence then I may just be a contextual convert. I asked if I could come back the following week on the precondition that I receive 100 bonus points for having to get up at such an unholy hour. Leonor laughed but I still had to settle for 75.