Fighting the Cycle of Poverty Through Education

During the third quarter of 2024, the Del Carmen Foundation (“DCF”) has continued to implement its mission by helping to provide educational supplies, food, medicine, and scholarships to the children of Venezuela.  The support of our donors, combined with the tireless commitment of our volunteers has enabled us to help and serve more than 400 children during the third quarter.

 One of DCF’s primary programs is to help the disadvantaged youth of Venezuela by providing them with the opportunity to have access to education.  This comes in many forms, which includes providing critical supplies needed to attend school, providing scholarships for primary and second school, as well as fostering and developing participatory education wherever and whenever possible.

 From July through September 2024, DCF awarded scholarships to one deserving and hard-working student, Andreimar.  Because of our support, she can continue to attend school in his neighborhood, whereas without our help she would not have been able to attend any school. 

 Andreimar is a thirteen year-old student who loves to write and aspires to be a teacher or professional designer one day.  Despite her family's struggles, Andreimar is passionate about her education and dreams of one day being able to work for a successful and vibrant future. She, her brother, and her mother live together with her grandmother in Valles del Tuy.  Her mother travels several hours each day to provide for her family, but is not enough to allow Andreimar to regularly attend school.  In the area where she lives, Andreimar even has to pay for her own transportation to school.  She dreams to be able to finish her studies so she can one day support her family.  Thanks to the support of the Del Carmen Foundation, Andreimar has received a six month scholarship to continue her education. Her love for learning and commitment to her studies make her a deserving candidate for support, as she represents the hope and potential for a brighter future. She is a child in need of substantial support to pursue her dreams and continue her education.

DCF held events in several neighborhoods in the capital Caracas, including El Amparo, Nazareno, Cuartel, Las Lomas, Isais Medina, and Casalta.  During these events we distributed backpacks with essential school supplies while creating a memorable experience and excitement for the children for the upcoming school year.  Because of support from donors like you, these children are now able to attend their local school and be an active participant in their development, education, and growth.

Also during the third quarter, DCF distributed sporting goods and equipment to three teams Isais Medina, Cuartel, and Casalta.  The sporting goods provided will allow these teams to train, play, and compete in basketball, volleyball, and soccer.  Providing these much needed supplies allows the children to remain active and continue to participate in their chosen team sport and further their social development. 

 Additionally, DCF provided funds to repair the flood lights for the athletic court in Cuartel, which will allow our aspiring athletes to play year round, long after the sun goes down.

The DCF also donated four wind fans to the C.E.I.N. Josefa Camejo primary school in Catia.  On normal days, the temperature in the classrooms reaches over 80 degree Fahrenheit, with no air conditioning available.  The fans that DCF provided will help the students cool off, be a little more comfortable, and be able to focus on learning!

 Also, DCF donated painting supplies to the children studying at Hijos and Hijas del Nazareno.  On this day, the student could take a break from their studies and take some time to express their creativity on paper and show and tell us all about their dreams for the future!

DCF provided athletic shoes to Clever and Carlos, two boys who love to play soccer.  Without these shoes, they would not be able to train and compete, and now they are able to show their moves and score some goals!

 Another DCF is to provide food assistance to families with children in need.  During the third quarter, we provided vegetables, protein, and other household staples to three families Cuartel, Las Lomas, and Propatria.

During the third quarter, DCF held two fundraising events in Caracas.  The first was a Zumba class at the YMCA in Catia.  We had over 50 participants in our class, and all of the funds raised have been earmarked to provide our next deserving students with a scholarship.

The second fundraising event was Chachito de Caracas, where DCF held a table to raise awareness of our cause.  The event had more than 300 attendees, all of whom now know about DCF and our work.  Continuing to spread the word and expand our reach is one of the primary keys to our future success, and this event accomplished just that.  At the end, we raffled a basket if food that includes staples such as flour, sugar, coffee, cheese, beans, butter, and other necessities.  The funds raised from this raffle contributed to our program of providing sporting goods to the three teams mentioned previously.

Lastly, DCF continued to develop and plan its participatory education program.  This program is designed to actively engage students in the learning process, foster critical thinking, and create a more inclusive and empowering educational environment.  Our goal is to secure enough funds to begin implementing this project for a class size of 30 students.  The first steps in the program include interactive teacher training so that they can work with DCF to foster an immersive educational experience.  Your donations directly contribute to the training of teachers and providing books and supplies for them and their students in our program. Thank you for all your support, and please spread the word for the work that we do in Venezuela!

Links:

• Backpacks and School supplies Donation
• Scholarship
• Sports Equipment Donation