Photo Gallery from CENTRO MADRE is a community project that serves the five rural villages of Barlovento, which are very impoverished, through education, health,agriculture and and cooperatives.





by Dada Maheshvarananda
President Hugo Chávez dedicated his life to the poor people of Venezuela. He transformed their lives and transformed their country.
On March 6, the day after his death, I spent 11 hours waiting with friends to pay my respects as his body was slowly transported through the city. It took much longer than expected, as hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets and the giant stadium where the procession ended to get a glimpse of the passing casket. The crowds sang and clapped along with popular songs about “El Comandante”, shouting: "Chávez lives, the struggle continues!" "The people united will never be defeated!" “I am Chávez!” When the body finally arrived at night in the National Military Academy for viewing, the line of people waiting was more than two kilometers (one mile) long!
Why did so many people go? Why were they willing to wait so long? And instead of being a somber occasion with everyone dressed in black, why did so many wear bright red T-shirts, or headbands with the national colors, and why were they singing and shouting slogans?
by Meryl Sundove
Cucarachero comun - House Wren - Troglodytes aedon
Our Task Force on the Americas delegation, led by Lisa Sullivan, came to Venezuela to observe the presidential elections in April, 2013. Luckily we stayed at Quinta PROUT in Caracas.The volunteer staff’s hospitality was warm and welcoming, the accommodations comfortable, and the vegetarian food was delicious and varied. Eugenio and his family made us feel like it was our home away from home, adding a personal touch which we loved.
Tortolita chocolatera o rojiza - Ruddy Ground Dove - Columbina talpacoti