Venezuela

The partner of FELM in Venezuela is the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Venezuela (IELV). The programmes FELM has in Venezuela are primarily education programmmes implemented by local congregations. The largest and fastest growing programme is that of child sponsorship.

FELM staff are involved in:

• Work with children, youth and women
• Work with church members
• Child sponsorship
• Oversight of FELM programmes

Ministry and Congregational work

The Lutheran Church in Venezuela is under-staffed; there is particularly a lack of pastors. The layman training of the Church has slightly improved this situation. The Ecumenical Theological Institute has also become operational and allows for the study of theology in Venezuela. Prior to this, theology students had to study abroad.

The Church’s Spanish language work is particularly supported. Work among Church members is centered on children and young people and staff responsible for this area of work are in the process of receiving training. The national Youth Committee of the Church was established in 2002, and the young people involved are already planning to implement independent activities.

Community Support and Capacity Building

The indigenous Guajiro or Wayuu population is the second largest ethnic group in Venezuela. Due to migration, Guajiro slums have mushroomed around the outskirts of the city of Maracaibo, for instance. The living conditions in these slums are poor as are the state of health care and the rate of literacy. Many Guajiros do not have national identity cards which prohibits them from voting, attending school or having any access to health and social services.

FELM supports the work of IELV in the Etnia Guajira slums of Maracaibo. A centre, Centro Martín Lutero, has been established to provide literacy classes for children and adults. It also serves as a meeting place for community members.

The Dios Proveerá congregation also operates out of the centre. They organise Church services and Sunday school for children.

Child sponsorship is carried out in Valencia, Barinas, Etnia Gaujira slums and in the suburb of San Gabriel in Barquisimeto and provides the opportunity for the children of the poor to go to school. Though this the Church aims to provide better possibilities for the future of the poor and to avoid the further marginalisation of these vulnerable families.