At the top of the Royal Road in Argelia, Antioquia, Colombia, a rural school once buzzed with the energy of children learning and dreaming. It served as the heart of the Mesones community, drawing young people from nearby villages to a space where futures were built. But conflict changed everything. Violence forced families to flee, leaving the school abandoned and overgrown—a haunting reminder of loss and hardship.

Clearing landmines along the Royal Road and around Mesones laid the foundation for transformation.

By reconnecting villages and paving the way for development, life-saving landmine clearance made it possible to reopen the school. For the first time in more than a decade, children and teachers have returned. The once-abandoned building now stands as a symbol of hope and opportunity, where learning can flourish again.

Between 2000 and 2006, armed violence and forced displacement ravaged the region. The once-thriving Mesones School fell into disrepair. Nature consumed the building–hallways were overgrown, ceilings housed wasp nests, and faded paint peeled from the walls. Scattered books on the floor stood as reminders of a generation whose education was cut short by war. The school was officially closed by the Secretary of Education, leaving the community without a safe or functional space for learning for over a decade.

When HALO began working in Mesones in May 2019, only three people remained in the village. With their permission, HALO restored the abandoned school to house the deminers working tirelessly to clear the area. Classrooms were transformed into living quarters, new bathrooms and a kitchen were built, and the roof was repaired. For years, the school served as a temporary base for HALO’s teams as they cleared landmines from the surrounding fields, roads, and village pathways.

By March 2023, HALO had cleared the area, and the Secretary of Education approved the school’s reopening. HALO worked alongside the community to restore the school to its original purpose. Residents painted classrooms, repaired desks, and prepared the space to welcome students once again.

The reopening of the Mesones school wasn’t just about landmine clearance. It took years of persistent community effort. Legal and administrative appeals failed to bring results, so Mesones residents, supported by Argelia’s Ombudsman, filed a tutela action—a legal mechanism in Colombia to secure fundamental rights. The case demonstrated that families needed education and that the school was now safe, thanks to HALO’s clearance.

To celebrate the school’s reopening, students participated in a photography workshop. See the Mesones School through the eyes of its students as they capture images in and around their revitalized school—a space of safety, learning, and hope.

Today, the school at the top of the Royal Road stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal. It is no longer a site of conflict but a safe space for children to learn, dream, and strive for a better future. The clearance of landmines and restoration of infrastructure has unlocked opportunities for Mesones and the surrounding communities to thrive.

With continued support, these efforts will ensure that education remains accessible, that communities stay connected, and that children like those in Mesones grow up in safety, with hope for brighter days ahead.

Help us clear paths to opportunity. Donate today to create safe steps to school for every child.