Elacides, the mine survivor who has become a role model in his community

Surviving and moving forward

Elacides López Triana’s life was turned upside down when he was eleven. At the time, he was living with his family in Tierralta in the department of Córdoba, a region in north-eastern Colombia severely affected by the armed conflict. On 5 February 2008, he was playing with his cousin in the courtyard of their home when a mine exploded beneath his feet.

In an instant, his childhood was shattered. The upheaval was total: in addition to the physical and psychological trauma, all life plans, family dynamics and prospects for the future were thrown into disarray. For Elacides and his family, a long journey of recovery began.

Rebuilding his life: comprehensive support

To help them, they could count on support from Humanity & Inclusion (HI) following the accident. The organisation offered Elacides rehabilitation support to aid his physical recovery, as well as psychosocial care to help him overcome the trauma of the accident. The young boy also received a custom-made wheelchair, which enabled him to regain greater independence in his daily life.

“Thanks to this support and the unwavering help of my loved ones, I’ve been able to move forward. This support has enabled me to regain my self-confidence, learn new skills and look to the future once again,” explains Elacides.

HI has also helped Elacides’ family: legal support was offered to them and the household received livestock to boost their income and thus ensure a more stable financial situation.

Making a fresh start and pushing the boundaries

Today, Elacides is 29 years old, and the journey he has undertaken since that day in 2008 is a testament to his perseverance. He still lives in Tierralta, where he has become a cobbler – a trade that enables him to support himself independently.

Within his community, many regard him as a model of determination, a true role model. Indeed, thanks to HI, Elacides has trained in psychosocial support, enabling him to assist other people with disabilities on their own rehabilitation journeys. He listens, advises, guides and participates in peer support groups.

Aware of his role as a community leader, Elacides wants to push the boundaries he faces even further to prove that a disability does not define a person’s limits. For him, this involves a sporting goal: once a keen basketball player, Elacides is now passionate about a new sport, para-badminton, and is dedicating himself to it with rigour and determination.

“One of my dreams is to become a top-class athlete: to compete at Pan American level and be part of the next Colombian Paralympic team. I work hard every day to achieve this goal. This dream carries within it a powerful message of inclusion that I want to spread far and wide,” he concludes with a broad smile.