Dear Supporters,
We hope you had an enjoyable summer break. We at Healing Venezuela continued working and have good news to share. We have published on our website our half-year accounts which show an income growth of 55% compared to the same period last year. However, we don't think that this position will be sustained as Venezuela is falling off the radar screens and people are distracted with other significant events in the UK and elsewhere. As ever, we are truly grateful for the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Here is a summary of what we have achieved in the past 3 months thanks to your support.
During 3Q, we shipped to Venezuela 646 kg of medical supplies to hospitals in rural areas and in main cities, for a total of more than 3 tonnes in the year. We now receive supplies donated by the health services in France, Spain, Italy and the UK. We have established a network of 10 health centres across different parts of Venezuela working with doctors we trust who verify inventories and distribute the supplies to those who need them most.
Caritas Venezuela has reported that around 65% of children in Venezuela have different stages of malnutrition and the impact on health in the longer term is devastating. This is unacceptable. At Healing Venezuela, for just $10 per month per child, we are providing breakfast and lunch to 55 school children in a poor area of Caracas. During the summer holidays, they enjoyed a summer camp where they also had some fun!
In the last 3 months, we have trained 358 people in stress management techniques. Because of school summer holidays, we focused our efforts on government offices (IVSS), hospitals (JM de Los Rios) and small NGOs that teach music and prevent malnutrition. So far in 2019, we have provided tools to 1086 people to manage the very stressful conditions Venezuelans live in.
After a break during August, we started again our scholarship programme for 110 junior doctors in 4 different universities in Venezuela. For just €12 per month, we pay for a junior doctor's living expenses and transport. As conditions worsen and medical staff leave the country, post-graduate students are at the forefront of medical care in state hospitals. We will keep supporting them.
Getting medicines in Venezuela is extremely difficult and expensive. Families with diabetic children are amongst the most impacted by the health crisis. This is why during the last quarter, we not only supplied glucometers and thousands of strips to measure sugar in blood but also insulin for 8 children from lower-income families. Their smiling faces are our best reward.
We continued to sponsor high-spec tests for patients with very serious conditions such as cancer, HIV and organ transplants. Of the 44 people we were able to help, the oldest was 82 and the youngest 2 years old. These tests are quite expensive, but at least we can give certainty to a few beneficiaries about their health condition.
One of the most efficient ways to support the health sector is to repair equipment in health centres. On the past quarter, we were able to repair two units in the gastroenterology department at the Lidice Hospital, one of the largest state hospitals in Caracas. Thanks to our support, images will be much clearer and will allow more accurate diagnostics and surgeries
Poor quality of water has been a major source of concern in health institutions in Venezuela. This last quarter, we installed a water treatment plant in the kitchen of the Vargas Hospital, one of the largest in Venezuela and also a medical school. The plant will provide potable water for drinking and cooking to more than 20,000 people per year. An investment well worth it.
Remote areas of Venezuela have been particularly impacted by the health crisis in Venezuela. This is why in 3Q, we have sponsored another campaign in this case to Manapiare, Bolivar state. It's a staggering beautiful place, mainly populated by indigenous people and very difficult to access. But doctors were able to provide medical attention to 375 patients and will follow up in the next expedition.
During 3Q we achieved a lot thanks to our donors, supporters and partners on the ground. But we also had fun! From weddings-favours donations to celebrities events to craft fairs, we were there! The pictures say it all. And please keep supporting us: 98% of your donations go to our health programmes. GRACIAS!
To donate go to:
https://www.justgiving.com/healing-venezuela
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