Melania´s Campaign

This year there are national elections in Colombia and on the 9th March there are congressional elections for Camara and Senador. Miguel´s step-mum Melania is running for one of two regional Camara seats. So since we´ve arrived in Quibdo we´ve been working hard to help her election campaign. Being so close to the politics of the region is quite an eye opener! Everyone is the city is talking about the elections - my students want to debate them in class and we´ve even had pretend hustings in the class with the students putting forward their policies. On one hand people are so desperate for change - the regional hospital is here in Quibdo and it is dramatically lacking in resources. Unemployment rates here in the region of Choco are almost double the national average. Over 50% of the population in the region lack access to basic services such as water and sanitation. It´s a developing region in a developed country and Quibdo is a million miles away from Bogota in terms of access to services. On the other hand people are disappointed with their political leaders and reluctant to believe that these elections will make any difference. Politicians are divided, rarely uniting to work for the best for the region; political support is based on familiar ties; politicians lining their pockets with public money; and politicians looking after those who supported them - dividing jobs and contracts amongst family.
So on the 9th March, I will be following closely election day and the results. Until then fingers crossed for Melania! The region needs more women who are ready to sacrifice, professionally prepared for the role and have lived at first hand the problems facing the region so as to bring some solutions and much desired change.