El Carmen de Bolívar is a municipality of the department of Bolívar, in the region of the Montes de Maria on the Carribbean coast.  In its history, it was one of the most prosperous municipalities in its department, but because of violence in the 90's, its progress came to a stop with the arrival of many armed groups and now maintains some difficult living conditions.  However, because of its geographic location, central to the Montes de Maria and along the main highway between two larger coastal cities, El Carmen continues to be an important municipality in the region, being a place where many farmers from surrounding areas come to sell products, especially the avacados it is known for.  The partner organization of MCC, Sembrandopaz, has been present acompanying the community of El Carmen through its Asvidas (Association for a dignified life and solidarity) Network.