What: You're invited to apply for an exciting travel opportunity with KFTC and Witness for Peace

Where: To the coal-mining region of Colombia, South America

When: The trip is May 24-31, 2008

How many participants: KFTC will send 2 leaders and 1 staff to join a group of 15-20 people from other parts of the U.S.

Application deadline: April 7, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Trip description

KFTC is planning to send 3 people to participate in a trip to the coal-mining region of Colombia in South America! The trip has been organized by a group called Witness For Peace. The purpose of the journey is to follow the trail of the coal that supplies power to New England, meet with human rights activists, trade unionists, members of Afro-Colombian, indigenous communities and others affected by coal production in Colombia. The group will explore how we can work in solidarity with communities and organizations in Colombia to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses. Most of the participants in the group will be people from Massachusetts whose electricity comes from coal mined in Colombia. KFTC members have been invited to help broaden the conversation to include ways that Appalachian communities are also impacted by mining.

Colombia's coal comes from two of the largest open-pit coal mines in the world: Exxon created El Cerrejón in the 1980s. A consortium of European-based companies and La Loma owned by the Alabama-based Drummond Company now owns El Cerrejón. Both of these mines export large quantities of coal to the United States and both have been accused of serious human rights violations.

Who can apply?

KFTC encourages all interested members to apply to participate in this exciting opportunity. KFTC’s Leadership Development Committee has the difficult job of selecting two KFTC members (along with a staff person) from all those who apply. Below are the criteria they will use to prioritize and select participants:

• People who live in the coalfields
• People who are committed to non-violent social change
• People who are affected by mining and interested in the larger issues of energy, economy and democracy
• People who are active in and committed to building KFTC and the Canary Project
• People who are willing to share this experience with other audiences (including KFTC chapters, schools and congregations, etc)
• People who are interested in learning from the communities in Colombia and helping to carry their message forward
• People who have a valid passport or will get one by May 20th
• People who are older than 18
• People who are willing to help raise the funds needed to support this trip.

How do I apply and get more information about this trip?

Any KFTC member interested in being considered for this trip should contact KFTC organizer Patty Tarquino by calling 606-632-0051 or emailing her at ptarquino@earthlink.net. You must contact her no later than 5 p.m. on April 7th.

Patty can answer many of your questions about the trip. She will also have a few questions for you, including why you are interested and whether you are willing to talk with other groups about the trip when it is over.

What will this trip cost?

KFTC is working to raise about $2,500 per person to cover airfare, travel in Colombia, food, lodging, translators, guides, reading materials and other expenses related to this trip. Those who are selected to participate will be expected to help in the fundraising effort. (Possible fundraising options include sending letters to donors, holding fundraising dinners, and other creative ideas.)

Participants are required to have a valid passport to travel. It can cost between $150 and 200 to get a passport in a hurry if you do not currently have one. This is an expense that each individual is expected to pay. However, don’t let the cost keep you from applying. If necessary, KFTC may be able to help fundraise to cover this expense as well.