In Colombia, where more people die from domestic violence than from conflict with guerrilla forces, a book is launched offering the hope of change within the family.

On 29 September the Spanish edition of Listen to the Children - stories of change in family life compiled by Annejet Philips Campbell - was launched in Bogotá, Colombia, attended by some 180 people of all ages, classes and races.

In a nation like Colombia, with an ongoing battle with two guerrilla forces but an even higher death rate due to inter-family violence, the publication of a book about change in family life may have an impact far beyond its simple appearance. Escuchen a los Niños was translated by Colombian mothers who had met the author at the Initiatives of Change centre in Caux, Switzerland.

After some challenging words of welcome by industrialist Dietlof von Arnim (Why are we here today?) two sisters of the author spoke.

Digna Hintzen talked about "Why this book in this moment"

Digna Philips Hintzen mentioned the timeliness of the publication of this book, and the fact that two chapters had been added with experiences in families and schoolchildren in Latin America. 'If families learn to live in peace, there is hope for peace in the nation.' Then Maria Philips Moniz spoke about her caring and practical sister Annejet, and how much she had meant to her in a deep crisis in her own life. She also told how she had spent Annejet's final days with her, earlier this year, when she had to give up her fight against cancer, accepting God's will as she had done all through her life, and with a sense of humour up till the day before she died.

Beatriz Bock, the main translator of the book

Then Beatriz Bock, the main translator, read a story from the book about a workaholic father who went out to find his runaway teenage son to tell him that he loved him. And teacher Gina Sanchez spoke about her experience with 250 preschool children and their families, practising the ideas of Initiatives of Change. She introduced some minutes of quiet, for people to collect their thoughts about what they had heard: this was the noisiest moment of the gathering! But the first one to speak afterwards was José Salgar, a weathered journalist of the prestigious paper El Espectador. He said he was usually a cold observer, but that this morning had moved him exceptionally, thinking about the hard times his country was going through. (Since then he has mentioned the book in his weekly column.) A priest, headmaster of a school which accepts boys who have been thrown out of other schools, said 'I know I will never be the same after reading this book.' And an author of children's books said she had expected a lecture but that she had been disarmed by the love and simplicity of what she had heard. 'How can I play my part for my country?' she asked.

Some people from the audience reading the book

This occasion took part in the well-to-do north of this city of seven million, so the invitation to have another launching in the south, amidst hills of shanty towns, was welcomed warmly. This happened the following Saturday, hosted by the headmistress of a school which has helped children and adults of displaced families (because of the fighting in the interior) to finish their secondary school. Some 70 young people were present, several with their babies. They thanked us most warmly at the end. All left with a copy of the book.

The good thing about this book, which will go all over this continent, is that people can start by themselves, no further organization needed, though spontaneous groups may be formed. For more information email Helena von Arnim in Bogotá. click here to send email

by Digna Hintzen