Today, there is a refugee crisis happening, and unlike those in Africa and the Middle East, this one is far closer to home. South American countries are absorbing large numbers of Venezuelan refugees fleeing the dire economic situation and political oppression brought on by the Maduro government. It is estimated that around 3,000 people are crossing the border every day. Necessities such as food and medicine are hard, if not impossible to come by, leading to reduced life expectancy, increased infant mortality rates, and widespread viral outbreaks. To lessen the burden on the neighboring countries supporting these refugees, the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Comfort was dispatched to provide medical relief to the most affected communities.

Classrooms at the school are full of damaged, destroyed, and graffiti-covered desks.

A close up of the battered school desks that are currently in use.

One of the locations visited by the USNS Comfort was Riohacha, Colombia. Riohacha is located near the northern border between Colombia and Venezuela, and has been at the forefront of the refugee crisis. Here, US troops set up one of their temporary medical treatment sites at a local school. When they did, however, they quickly noted that just about every desk there was damaged and practically unusable. Realizing that something had to be done to improve the school before they left, the US troops contacted Spirit of America.

A mother and young child receiving medical care from our sailors at the improvised facility

With your support, Spirit of America will donate 140 school desks to help the US team and their partners improve the school that was used to provide healthcare to the Venezuelan refugees and the Colombian people. At the same time, this project will help build a stronger relationship between US troops and their Colombian partners as they work together towards a more secure future for this region that has become so prone to violence and turmoil.