Adolfo Perez Esquivel is the son of a poor Spanish fisherman and his Guarani Indian wife. His mother died when he was born, and his father spent long months at sea - so Adolfo was primarily raised by his maternal grandmother, who instilled in him many indigenous beliefs including the love of the earth and respect for nature. He was an artist always, and as he grew up he became a famous muralist and sculptor. His large-scale works can be viewed in countless parks and museums across Europe and Latin America.

It was in 1976 that the army took over the country of Argentina in a military coup that lasted seven years. After that, anyone with protest in their voice was whisked away during the midlde of the night, taken to an undisclosed location, tortured and often killed. Tens of thousands of teachers, writers, artists, activists, community leaders and students were 'disappeared,' never to be seen again.

Adolfo Perez Esquivel saw waht was happening, and he decided to speak out, exposing the world to what was happening in his homeland. He had recently volunteered to serve as Newsletter Editor for the Peace and Justice Service, an organization that was founded in 1974 to address the human rights crisis in Argentina and the region. Before long, Adolfo, too, was 'disappeared' - but this time, the world DID notice. 'Amnesty International' declared him their number one prisoner of conscience and a tremendous letter-writing campaign throughout the world - eventually putting enough pressure on the Argentine military that Adolfo was released 14 months later. He was placed under house arrest, but he would not let his voice be silenced, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his incredible leadership and courage in December of 1980.

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