When Colombia’s historic 2016 peace deal ended decades of conflict with the FARC rebel group, it opened a new chapter: turning fighters into neighbors. Now, UN-backed programs are helping former combatants swap rifles for résumés through vocational training and mental health support. 🛠️💬
Michelle Begue, reporting from Bogotá, highlights stories like María (name changed), a former fighter who learned carpentry skills and now builds furniture. "I never held a hammer before," she says. "Now I’m building my future." 📦✨
But challenges linger. Stigma and scarce jobs test Colombia’s reintegration efforts. Still, over 13,000 ex-rebels have joined these programs—a fragile yet hopeful step toward lasting peace. 🌄
Could this model inspire other post-conflict regions? Share your thoughts below! 👇
