The Colombian Teenager Standing Up For Her Life-Giving Reef

“Have you seen the reef? How can you value it before seeing it?”

One kilometre from the scintillating skyscrapers of Cartagena, Colombia, lies the island of Tierra Bomba. In this mainly afro-caribbean community, far from the city’s plush apartments, fishermen’s lean-tos line the edge of the beautiful sea on which they rely. But all is not well on the island.

Our latest Free of the Week follows teenager Yassandra as she galvanises her community in defence of the precious Varadero Reef. A keen diver, Yassandra considers the reef to be a special place that not only keeps her grounded and calm, is also the island’s lifeblood.

Indeed, despite the poor quality of the water, illegal dredging and the constant passing of enormous cargo ships casting shadows over the area, the Varadero Reef remains a hub of biodiversity and was recently declared a “Hope Spot” by international non-profit Mission Blue. Now, a project to modernise Cartagena’s port risks damaging the reef beyond repair.

Through research and by sharing the hidden beauty of her underwater world, Yassandra believes she can change things.

Find out how you can support Yassandra here.

“Dive Tierra Bomba Dive'“ is directed by duo Joya Berrow and Lucy Jane also known as The Right To Roam.

Edit: ‘Free of the Week’ is now ‘Short of the Week’.