This is one of the most common questions asked of FARC-EP guerrilleros by national and international press, friends, politicians, or intelligence services in the lengthy interrogations when one of us fall into the hands of the enemy. The answer seems obvious: simply put, "for the people." But it is not this simple, nor is it exactly common to all of us.

There are many motives that make a person decide to give her/his life, hopes, aspirations and dreams to such a general and common cause, one so humane and noble as the revolution to change the cruel and shameful economic system in which we live. What is common to us all is admiration for the justice of our struggle's objectives.

Jenny joined because she liked to see the uniformed women guerrilleras who inspired the respect of men from her region that she did not feel in her family surroundings or school. The men would say, "There is a worthwhile woman: see how well she explains the reasons for this struggle and why we unionists should fight..., oh yes." And when a guerrilla column enters a town, the reaction is admiration because those youths joined the struggle in the name of the people, so children could be well fed, have access to health care and education and be able to play, dance and live as children instead of having to work from the age of four. This was why Juliana joined. And Jorge, the humorous, skinny fellow, worker and singer, joined because he wanted to keep singing and make Colombians laugh, but in a more just Colombia. He didn't know what the guerrilla movement was about.

On the radio at home, he heard it was evil, it killed, abducted and violated International Humanitarian Law, etc. But, he saw that when the guerrilleros came to a town and to peoples' homes, they were received with affection. He understood fear is one thing and affection is another. And it was affection that this amateur musician who never had a chance to go to music school to polish his gift, came to feel. He held these people in respect and esteem rather than fear and wanted to share their lot because he understood their explanations.

Hernando joined thinking that as a member of FARC-EP he would be more attractive to the women of his town. Later, in the ranks, he found things were more complex; that he would have to leave his vices behind and study, learn to read and write, and about the world and Colombia from books, from talking to comrades and contact with the people, and that there is much more to life than wasting time. Now he is happy because he learned to be a revolutionary. Today, all these people have ceased to be merely beings watching life go by.