Families are running out of food.
Children are starving.
Doctors are leaving the country and there is no medicine for those who have stayed.
Once, the richest country in South America and currently a country that holds world's largest supply of crude oil, former dictator Hugo Chavez became the people's hero by enacting a socialistic government which overspent on welfare programs with the hope of banking on oil revenue - the revenue of which has been cut in half. Farmlands were declared "state" lands and were no longer farmed. The now President Nicholas Mudero has printed more money (leading to more devaluation of money) and the country is now in debt to China and Russia. In 2010, an American dollar was worth 8 bolivars (Venezuelan currency). Now an American dollar is worth 8,000 bolivars! Currently, the average Venezuelan living in poverty lost 19 pounds last year. In a nutshell, Venezuela is absolutely suffering.
Imagine.
Imagine what the children are going through.
And imagine if you were the parent.
I recently learned through a Venezuelan coworker of all this suffering.
Soooo - here is the PLAN. We need donations! Rice, dried beans, dried milk, canned milk, condensed milk, canned tuna, sardines, spam, hard candies, coffee, sugar, children's clothing and shoes! Whatever we collect will go into a purchased barrel and with shipping will cost $300. OR let me know when there is a supersale somewhere local and I can purchase some of these items inexpensively! Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." It is the HOPE that these barrels will reach the ones who need them. My coworker has sent what she can, and those who receive them share with the children's orphanage close by. We cannot sit idly by and see people suffer like this, when it is within our power to do something... Please contact me if you can help!
