This man from Chile feels more Colombian than many Colombians. He loves this country and knows it like the back of his hand. He traveled across Colombia from top to bottom during the nineties and early two thousands, in the midst of the harsh war years, as a humanitarian and development worker. He witnessed firsthand the effects of forced displacement when he assisted its victims in the Montes de María, in Córdoba, Sucre, Antioquia, Urabá, Chocó, Putumayo, Caquetá, Tolima, and Huila.

He is well-acquainted with forced displacement because he, too, had to go into exile from his own country during Pinochet’s regime. His wife was disappeared, and he had to flee to save his own life. The reason: he was perceived as a threat to the dictatorship for his democratic beliefs, advocating for freedom, equity, and inclusion. He recounts this as if it all happened centuries ago. However, his social interests are deeply ingrained in his character; they are part of his DNA.

Craftsmanship became a refuge for him. It rekindled memories from his youth when he financed his own education by selling handmade objects. Craftsmanship also provided the backdrop for his second chance at love. He states that without Adriana, he would be nothing and rephrases the saying: “”Behind every great woman, there’s a good man.”” Together, they established a paradise spanning five and a half hectares, next to an ecotourism park on the outskirts of Yopal. There, they have planted teca and caracaro trees for wood harvesting. Alongside Adriana, he crafts furniture, lamps, and decorative pieces.

Teca wood has its own story. It’s a beautiful and soft wood, so resilient that it can endure forest fires. Moreover, it serves as a metaphor for Juan Miguel’s memory of his father. One day, his dad, who was always as strong as an oak, wasn’t feeling well, so his son challenged him to live to a hundred years. His dad took up the challenge. Juan Miguel later learned from his bishop brother that their father indeed reached a hundred years, winning their bet. He passed away eight days after his birthday, and for Juan Miguel, the teca wood, which will grow steadily, will accompany him until they both reach a hundred years.

They named their workshop “”Kaliawiri,”” a nod to the Sikuani myth about the tree of life, which provided sustenance for all. According to the myth, after numerous attempts, animals finally managed to fell the tree, scattering its seeds over the Orinoco River and turning these lands into a prosperous pantry where everything people need to live can be found. Juan Miguel, known as Juanito in Yopal, spends his time with his wood, immunizing it and sanding it multiple times. He appreciates it, which is why he adorns it. When working with samán wood, he seeks out its beautiful veins, while for smaller pieces like coat hangers, mirror frames, or lamps, he employs mango, ceiba, and cucharo wood for carving.

Adriana joins him in every adventurous endeavor. They are currently transforming their farm into a place that offers various experiences, such as bird watching (they have already identified 140 species), soap making, and farming experiences. Additionally, they make jam, harvest turmeric, and sell foliage for flower arrangements. To top it off, they even operate a dog daycare. In their world, joy and beauty are the guiding forces in their lives.