The dire future of Venezuelan children: Public schools in Barlovento’s Cocoa region

Venezuela, the South American oil-rich country which holds the world's largest supply of crude oil is undergoing the deepest and worst crisis in the country’s history. The collapse of the Venezuelan economy caused largely by mismanagement and drop in oil prices have led to soaring prices of goods and services together with an uncontrollable hyperinflation. This situation has resulted in shortages of medicines, food, and other basic elements, worsening the life quality of Venezuelan citizens, and turning it into a poverty-stricken country.

Among all the aspects of the everyday life in the country, the right to education every child deserves is being severely affected. With the countdown to the beginning of the new academic year, state schools have been hit harder and their situation has been getting worse as time goes by. A study carried out by Jesuit Organisation “Fe y Alegría“ which offers free education to the poor, revealed in 2018 a of drop 50% on their school population.

And what is more, in rural areas the situation is worse for school children, such is the case of Barlovento’s public school U.E “Cabano Carpio Martínez“ where the population of children has reduced as a consequence of an array of inter-related problems, including hyperinflation, making it hard for parents to purchase the basic schools supplies children need, as well as food and clothes, teachers’ absence, as their salaries aren’t enough to make a living and many of them are choosing to leave the country in the search for better opportunities and hunger, with many children being under-nourished as parents can’t provide for their food supply.

However, in the midst of this daunting situation, there is always hope. Giveafew paid a visit to the public school U.E “Cabano Carpio Martínez“ in Barlovento’s cocoa community “El Clavo“, and with the remaining teachers at the school we gathered information about their needs (children’s and school’ infrastructure) in order to start a campaign to bring direct aid to them and improve the school for a much better education. We would like to help the next generations of cocoa farmers by teaching these children about the wonders lying underneath the lands where cocoa beans grow a perhaps brighter future. Your generous donation will be commendable and help us support a fair cause.

For further information on donations you can follow here.