Day 8: Expressed Silence is Peace

This morning my friend Aldo Lemos and Thony our driver returned to Sibinal. The experiences we have shared this past week have bonded our friendship in ways that are difficult to describe. For Aldo Lemos it is back to working among the people in Sibinal. For 19 year old Thony it's back to nursing school. Sometimes I tend to forget how friendships can be quickly forged after making it through a challenging experience or situation. On today's post I would like to briefly talk (with his approved consent) about a man who, in my opinion, has selflessly given himself to his work and the people in Sibinal. 

Aldo is native to Colombia. Born in 1985 to a loving family dedicated to farming and agriculture; early on Aldo became fascinated with nature. However, the land he lived in was rich with gold and soon the machines and corporations came. Greed dug up mines to extract the gold and poisoned the land causing farmers in the area to seek new lands. Soonafter, war came to Colombia. It was the paramilitary against the guerrilla rebels and as always, civilians were caught in the midst of battle. His family fled and in the process split up because it was too dangerous to stay together. Aldo describes living in constant fear of his life. After becoming completey displaced from his family there was one constant in his life which brought him hope and happiness: the guitar. 

Aldo talks about constantly being on the move, from one house to another, living in poverty and sometimes not having any food to eat. Living in the chaos which surrounded him he found refuge in his old guitar. Composing music became his sanctuary. A few years ago Aldo decided to become a volunteer for an orginization that does charity work around the world. He was selected to do so in Sibinal, Guatemala. 

In the past week I have observed Aldo's interaction with the locals in Sibinal. I had heard positive statements about his work ethics, diligence and dedication. As an outsider, being in Sibinal with Aldo I felt like he was everyone's "go to" man. Every time someone asked for help, including myself, you could count Aldo would be there. It has been an honor and a privilege to meet someone who leads by example. Good trip my friend.