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Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: 05/10/2015 02:32 GMT: Missing Relatives: Luz Villamil and Visaka Dharmadasa

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Luz Villamil and Visaka Dharmadasa

05/10/2015 02:32 GMT

05/10/2015 02:32 GMT: Missing Relatives: Luz Villamil and Visaka Dharmadasa

Missing Relatives: Luz Villamil and Visaka Dharmadasa

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Missing Relatives: Luz Villamil and Visaka Dharmadasa

A sister and a mother explain why grief is constant when a relative goes missing

"It's not like a family member dying", a mother whose son went missing in action in Sri Lanka and a sister whose brother disappeared in Colombia share their experiences.

Visaka Dharmadasa is a celebrated Sri Lankan peace activist whose son went missing in action in 1998, while fighting for the Sri Lankan army against Tamil Tiger rebels.  She won a landmark case against the government to get DNA checks done to trace missing soldiers and she works with mothers from both sides of the conflict, Tamils and Sinhalese, for a peaceful future. Visaka's work and her belief that her son is still alive keep her sane; she still keeps the chocolates in the freezer, that she bought for him 15 years ago, waiting for his return.

Luz Villamil is Colombian Palestinian. Her father was kidnapped by Farc left wing guerrillas in 1998, but released after 81 days. Luz's family's joy was short lived as two years later her brother went missing from a Colombian seaside resort. His disappearance has remained a mystery and they have no clues, only rumour and speculation. Luz hopes her brother is hearing the messages her family sends out on a Colombian radio show that features relatives of kidnapped and missing people.

Left: Luz Villamil, Credit: Angelika Bakou  
Right: Visaka Dharmadasa. Credit: None

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