Neighbors of La Guairita look with great admiration upon the entrance of their community center, now colorfully decorated with a mural painted by the local children. "They should do the same in Caraquita and El Tesoro. When people drive by, they find it very attractive,” explains a proud Mrs. Neyda Ramos, member of the village Community Council and passionate supporter of the children’s mural project
Since 2000, the non-profit community center Centro Madre has been serving five impoverished rural villages near San Jose, Barlovento with education, health, agriculture and economic development projects. In addition, every year Centro Madre has celebrated Christmas and Children's Day by organizing dramas, theater, music, games, dance, and handicraft activities in the villages. These programs are designed to help people realize that, in spite of adverse and sometimes traumatic circumstances in their lives caused by poverty, violence and discrimination, they have the power to transform themselves and learn to use their full potential.