Give Medical Care to 3500 Venezuelan Indigenous

Overview

During this six-month period, Fundación Nativo focused on strengthening the foundations that will allow us to serve indigenous communities in the Venezuelan Amazon more effectively and sustainably in the years ahead. We completed our internal capacity-building program, prepared our next health mission, expanded a community-based harvesting campaign, and began two institutional processes aimed at protecting the work of indigenous artisans and bringing indigenous food products into the formal market under full public-health compliance.

Key ActivitiesCompletion of Our Internal Training Program

From March to October 2026, Fundación Nativo took part in a training program designed to strengthen the institutional capacities of Venezuelan civil society organizations, funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Venezuela. The program focused on project management tools and on the long-term sustainability of our work, equipping our team to plan, implement and follow up on our initiatives more effectively.

The program began with 107 Venezuelan organizations and was structured as a selection process, with participants progressively filtered at each stage. Only 40 organizations reached the final phase, Fundación Nativo among them. The process concluded with a visit by the implementing organization to our facilities in the State of Amazonas. This investment in our own capacity supports the quality and continuity of everything we do with partner communities.

Preparing Our Next Health Mission in Manapiare

We have developed and submitted a proposal for our next health mission in the northern part of the State of Amazonas, in the Manapiare Municipality, an area where we have worked before and where needs remain significant. The proposal is currently awaiting a funding decision from an international organization. If approved, we expect the mission to take place during 2027.

Mapping of Warao Communities for the Sarrapia Harvesting Campaign

We completed the mapping of 25 communities in the Warao territory that will join our sarrapia harvesting campaign. This work lays the groundwork for incorporating new communities into a sustainable livelihood initiative that values local knowledge and generates income from native forest products.

Quality Seal to Protect Indigenous Craftsmanship

We have begun working with Venezuela's intellectual property authorities on the development of a dedicated quality seal for the artisanal work of Venezuela's indigenous communities. The goal is to protect the authenticity and cultural origin of these crafts, help artisans receive fair recognition and value for their work, and make it easier for buyers to identify genuine indigenous craftsmanship.

Health Registration for Indigenous Food Products

Together with the national hygiene and health authority, we have started the procedures required for food products from indigenous communities to obtain official sanitary registration. This will allow these products to be commercialized in compliance with all public-health requirements, opening the door to broader and more stable markets for the communities that produce them.

Impact and Outlook

• Completed an 8-month institutional strengthening program funded by the Embassy of Switzerland, reaching the final phase as one of 40 organizations selected out of 107
• Next health mission in Manapiare designed and awaiting a funding decision, planned for 2027
• 25 Warao communities mapped for the sarrapia harvesting campaign
• Process started to create a quality seal protecting indigenous craftsmanship
• Process started to obtain sanitary registration for indigenous food products

These steps are less visible than a medicine delivery, but they are what make long-term impact possible: protecting cultural heritage, ensuring safe access to markets, and preparing the ground for the next round of healthcare support.

Next Steps

Over the coming months we will follow up on the funding decision for the Manapiare health mission, continue the procedures for the quality seal and sanitary registration, and begin working with the mapped Warao communities on the sarrapia campaign.

Thank You

We sincerely thank all GlobalGiving donors for their continued trust. Your support makes it possible not only to deliver essential care, but also to build the institutional and economic foundations that give indigenous communities lasting opportunities.

All the best from Venezuela,

Fundación Nativo