Accompanying the Cimitarra Valley Rural Association (ACVC) usually means filling the rucksack with a hammock, wellies, insect repellent, then heading off on hair-raising truck rides into the mountains of Sur de Bolívar.

Rob Hawke
Colombia

By building solidarity with the peace community, with PBI and our international support network, two rural families of limited means had managed to walk, completely unarmed into paramilitary-controlled territory and reclaim their belongings from a squadron of heavily armed soldiers

Dan Slee
Colombia, 2013

A  PBI volunteer must be open to changes because we are on call and sometimes there can be emergency situations that make us reshuffle the schedule and then shuffle it again.

Owen Campbell
Guatemala, 2007-2008

As a PBI volunteer I was privileged enough to work side by side with Mexican human rights defenders who work relentlessly in their struggle for justice – despite death threats, constant surveillance, attacks, and in some tragic cases, the assassination of their colleagues. Inspirational people who have taught me that the battle for justice should not be confined to the local courtroom

Michael Tamblyn
Mexico, 2006

I feel immensely privileged to meet such inspiring and resilient activists in my work at PBI. They do everything they can to improve their situation and to protect and promote human rights

Lizzy van Dijk
Netherlands

One thing that stood out for me was the immense need for support from indigenous people in the face of the oligarchic system that rules developing countries. I was also impressed by the courage of the communities who try to assert their rights through the legal means available, despite the contempt of the ruling class

Jean-Jacques Ambresin
Guatemala, 2008-2009

Their bravery and determination were inspirations throughout my year but it was their humanity – the stories, jokes and peculiarities of each defender I got to know – that will remain with me most and convinced me that perhaps the most important aspect of PBI’s presence is simply solidarity.

Cat Rainsford
Guatemala

Up against all these political and structural problems, it’s hard not to question the value of the work we do. But just as you’re losing sight of this, you hear someone we accompany say that since PBI’s been coming to their community, the level of conflict has reduced and they don’t experience the threats that they used to, or that because of PBI they know they’re not alone and feel motivated to keep fighting.

Emily Spence
Guatemala, 2018-2019

As I reflect on this work thirty years later, I am deeply appreciative of the integrity, commitment and clarity of my PBI colleagues. I am grateful to have collaborated in such a meaningful way to live out our values and to support those whose lives were so unfairly shaped by political violence and repression. I’m also grateful that so many hands have continued to carry out this work and PBI is thriving today

Karen Beetleon
Guatemala, 1985