Venezuela

Interfaith Initiative to Assist Destitute Children and Families (2007)

The critical social and economic situation has dramatically affected the poorest people in the country, who represent 80% of Venezuelan population JDC, together with the Jewish Community of Venezuela (CAIV), is partnering with Caritas (the humanitarian overseas branch of the Catholic Church) to fund two soup kitchens which serve the most vulnerable populations. The program is based on the success of a similar model in Argentina, whereby JDC is partnering with Caritas to provide direct services of food and welfare assistance.

This program supports two soup kitchens which are part of Caritas Venezuela's network; improving the kitchenware and other materials, continuing to provide food, paying staff, providing toys for the beneficiary children, and improving the quantity and quality of the service. One soup kitchen, in the downtown area of Caracas, serves a daily lunch to 125 adults who are living below the poverty line. They are mostly unemployed, homeless or elderly. The second kitchen, situated in one of the largest barrios (shanty towns) in Caracas, serves lunch to 25 children and adolescents from the parochial school and nearby communities. In addition to food, the kitchen works with professionals to provide the children with supplementary education.