Venezuelan People Work on their own Initiatives

A French solidarity group visited El Guarataro, a populous community in Caracas, Venezuela. They were able to see firsthand how popular organizations work. Members of this barrio feel benefited by the social missions put forth by the government


Many hardworking people live in the barrio of El Guarataro, in Caracas, Venezuela. They have hope and feel satisfied with the socials plans, or missions as they are known in Venezuela, put forth by the Venezuelan government in order to improve their quality of life.

Some of these social programs, or missions, include: Mission Mercal, which aims at offering staple foods at significantly low prices; Mission Barrio Adentro, which offers free universal healthcare; Mission Robinson, created in order to eradicate illiteracy from the country; Mission Ribas, aimed at high school completion by dropouts; Mission Sucre, aimed at easing university entry to excluded sectors and Mission Milagro, which offers free eye treatment and surgery to people suffering from ophthalmologic problems.

El Guarataro has Barrio Adentro health clinics, Soup Kitchens, Mercal markets, a number of schools where educational missions are taught, among others. On this opportunity, representatives from French solidarity groups visited the community in order to witness the advances of these social plans.

Here are some testimonies from members of the community:

Ninoska González, 42

"The health clinic opened two years ago. This has been the best idea put forth by our president; we have benefited immensely. When my child suffers from asthma attacks, they treat him regardless of the time. These doctors have treated members of my family. There are also soup kitchens here. I study in the Mission Ribas. I firmly believe my country is moving forward."

Juana Sara, 66

"There are six soup kitchens in this community for the most needy. We also have Cuban doctors, who treat us at anytime. We have learned a great deal from their human quality. Some of the members of this community are currently finishing high school thanks to the Mission Ribas. We live at peace."

Luis Nieto, 50

"We have all the missions here; they are all working fine and people benefit from them. We sell coffee at the market and my children are going to school. I believe Venezuela is different now because poor people have more possibilities. I want my children to stay in school."

Humberto Mendoza, 45

"I'm the transport coordinator for the Cuban doctors here in El Guarataro. We had never seen any benefits before. Up to 100 people from this community have been sent to Cuba for eye surgery as part of the Mission Milagro. At the Barrio Adentro health clinics everybody is welcome. I feel useful now."

Carlos Velo, 64, Cuba

"We have started a senior citizens' workout club. I am a physical trainer. We work with senior citizens in activities such as dancing, gymnastics and baseball. These activities are beneficial for people who suffer from diabetes and heart problems. We came here to help the people of Venezuela. The adaptation process has been easy for us, as well as for them."

Enrique Gil, 63

"Many things have been accomplished as of yet. We need to take in all this process of change, There is a lot of enthusiasm. The victory of the Bolivarian process depends on us."

Some testimonies from the visitors:

Anne Givelet, Organization of Women for Peace and Freedom, France

"This is a very important society-building process. I believe it is working in the popular sectors. Although not everything can be accomplished at once, it looks as if this community is changing. There is hope for Venezuela."

eline García, Political Movement, France

"My heart has been moved by people's participation. Someone told us that his mother learned to read and write thanks to Mission Robinson and said that she was able to recover her dignity. The process currently underway in Venezuela is peaceful. I believe in this process. It is an example to the whole wide world."

y Maunoury, Group pf Solidarity with Latin America, France

"This is a novel and interesting process. I think people are organizing and the government supports them. There are other governments in Latin America that do not support the poor and I think here in Venezuela the government has done a great deal to help the poor. There is a lot of misinformation abroad regarding what is really going on in Venezuela. I am going to report on what I saw. There is a lot of hope and dignity."


ire Sciuto, Group pf Solidarity with Latin America, France

"We have seen exactly the opposite of what we have seen in France. Public services offered by the state are managed by the people and for the people. We are impressed at the popular organization, so much energy. People work on their own initiatives day after day."