Projects

Emergency funds

Youth with blanket © Sophie Molins

Veniños also has a smaller rolling fund for emergency requests to help with repairs or emergency expenses that charities may unexpectedly incur. On that basis, we agreed to give $1000 to Asociación Muchachos de la Calle, to help cover the cost of major repairs to the Mobile Medical Service (aka "the ambulance") that it provides to street and shanty town children in different parts of Caracas.

After many years of loyal service, the ambulance finally came to a halt and the only way to effectively get it back on the road was to replace the gear box and engine, costly repairs that Asociacion Muchachos de la Calle could not undertake at short notice.

"The Ambulance" is staffed by a local doctor and nurse and goes out each afternoon to a different shanty town and provides basic medical attention and health care to children, youths and young adults who live in these areas.

Older street boy © Sophie Molins

Many of those treated are not eligible for treatment in government clinics as they do not have the necessary identity documents.

Volunteers also organise educational (and fun!) activities for the children to participate in so as to help build trust and learn more about their situations.

These activities often attract the children to the ambulance and then their broader situation can be monitored and measures can be taken to improve their situation.

Many international residents have volunteered on the Ambulance in Caracas over the years, so we feel sure that many of the Veniños supporters will see the merit in this programme and will be delighted that Veniños has helped to get the ambulance back out on the road as soon as possible.

Asociación Muchachos De La Calle

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