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Tag: Venezuela

Venezuelan Refugees: A health, economic, and educational crisis

Morgan Robertson

Although summer is often a time for students taking time off, Izabella (Bella) Urbani, Isabel Behm, former LEAP Ambassador Quinn Kobrin, and the LEAP Ambassadors braved the Houston summer traffic to attend The World Affairs Council Event “Combating Venezuela’s Refugee Crisis.”

We were excited to be invited to the Palm Restaurant, a nice steakhouse in downtown Houston. We ventured through the dining room and into a private room that was decorated with murals featuring scenes of Houston.

The room was full of doctors and medical professionals from Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation, Chevron employees, and interested citizens of Houston. Jessica, Saara, and I introduced Bella and Isabel to Sandija Bayot, the Chief Development Officer for WAC, and someone we can always count on for a warm greeting.

Maryanne Maldonado, the Executive Director of the World Affairs Council…

….introduced Dr. Michael Mizwa, who is the Director of Global Health, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the CEO of Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative.

Before actually speaking on the topic, Dr. Mizwa, offered us a friendly greeting of “Go Bearkats,” and then moved to an introduction of our featured speaker: Ana Maria Galvis, the Executive Director of Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation, Colombia.

Galvis began by explaining some of the issues that Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) face. However, Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Colombia operates somewhat differently than traditional NGOs. The program is run and operated by Colombians and, although the overall program objective is to promote health, they can’t do that without addressing related issues. Thus, they focus on four major issues: health, food, education, and nutrition.

Recently, there has been an influx of Venezuelans migrating to Columbia; many of whom require immediate or long-term medical care. The employment rate in La Guajira (a Department of Colombia0 is 26.1 % and only one-third have visas. To provide aid to the incoming Venezuelans, the current President of Colombia has offered 10-year permits. Galvis said this has helped to reduce the number of undocumented migrants, but there is still work to be done to track their medical needs.

Since the program is an NGO, it is held to a different standard than the privately funded healthcare centers. Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Colombia offers 25 health certified services, and they have a dedication to “not just treating the illness, [but] treating the human being.”

Since 2014 the program has provided treated 12,400 patients, administered 7,000 vaccinations, and is the only NGO in Colombia authorized to provide the Covid-19 vaccination. The program has done amazing work to provide aid for the current crisis, and their approach is what we, as social science majors, also aim for: the help communities, not just individuals.

The event was enormously educational, and it also moved us out of our comfort zones, prompting us to converse with professionals over lunch, discussing topics with which we aren’t overly familiar.

It is a recipe for growth, and one we enjoyed very much.

Author mikeyawnPosted on June 11, 2022June 11, 2022Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Health, Law, Politics, TravelTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Colombia, LEAP, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, SHSU, Venezuela, World Affairs Council HoustonLeave a comment on Venezuelan Refugees: A health, economic, and educational crisis

Ambassador Vecchio Talks Venezuela

Although it was our thirteenth event in thirteen days, the LEAP Ambassadors were ecstatic to have the opportunity to – once again – spend an evening with the World Affairs Council. This time, it was hosted at the Junior League of Houston’s headquarters. The venue itself was beautiful. Upon opening the heavy wooden front doors, you face a grand ballroom with crystal chandeliers and fabric-cushioned walls. This is the room where Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, the featured guest, would be speaking, moderated by our friend Ronan O’Malley. It’s quite rare that we attend an event centered around law, politics, and the field of criminal justice, but that is precisely what the evening held for us.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

Ambassador Vecchio began by recounting his upbringing. He grew up in a small town in Monagas, Venezuela with his mother, a schoolteacher, and his father, a respected politician.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

The town’s children were taught by one person, Carlos’s mother, at a school named after Abraham Lincoln. Vecchio sited his interest in the namesake of his school as being the first to fascinate him in regard to law and the United States.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

After obtaining his law degree in Venezuela, he completed postgraduate studies in law at Harvard University and Georgetown, the former of which being under the Fulbright Program. Once back in Venezuela, Vecchio said, he landed a job as a tax manager for ExxonMobil. Not too long after, Chavéz expropriated ExxonMobil’s assets in Venezuela. Rather than losing his job, Vecchio was offered a job by his boss in Qatar which included a pay raise, a new car, and a furnished apartment. Rather than taking the promotion, he pursued politics with the vested interest of opposing the corrupt administration of Hugo Chavéz.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela
SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

The time came, however, when Vecchio had to leave Venezuela and seek asylum somewhere else. Despite helping to establish the Popular Will party, his notoriety had gotten the attention of Maduro, and his family’s lives were now in danger. He told us that leaving his homeland was the toughest decision he ever had to make. Especially due to the fact that his wife was 8 months pregnant upon entering the United States.

Today, the Popular Will consists of the majority opposition against Maduro. Ambassador Vecchio claims that Venezuela will be the first country in the world to overthrow a regime with a united opposition. Although the road ahead is daunting, he is confident that Venezuela’s democracy will return with the help of international support.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

After the talk, we lost all hope of getting a picture with Vecchio since he had to do a tv interview. Thinking of alternatives, we took to the stage and snapped a few photos.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

As we were heading out the doors, Maryanne Maldonado, the CEO of World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, stopped us. We were confused at first, but then she told us to line up quickly for a photo with the ambassador. Taken aback by her kindness, we arranged ourselves in record time. Just then, Vecchio approached us, shook our hands, and posed for a photo with us. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

SHSU, Sam Houston State University, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela

_____________________

By this time, our stomachs were angry with us. We took it as a sign that dinner was in order. We settled on “Sabor Venezolano,” a Venezuelan food truck located in the outskirts of Downtown Houston. Upon arriving, the man inside the truck, seeing as we were all dressed up in suits, directed us to their restaurant location so that we wouldn’t have to eat sitting on the curb of the gas station the truck was located near.

Pleased with his kindness, we drove around the block to their brick-and-mortar location off of Westheimer. Inside, there were frames hanging on all the walls with photos of famous baseball players encased in them. Positioned at the back near the register was a counter full of chopped vegetables and proteins somewhat resembling a buffet. Our food was prepared in full display behind the counter and was served hot and fresh. Around the table, there were empanadas, tacos, burritos, and arepas – a flat, unleavened pastry stuffed (in this case) with chicken and chorizo.

Sabor Venezuela, LEAP Center,
Sabor Venezuela, LEAP Center,
Sabor Venezuela, LEAP Center,

We were impressed not only by how quickly our food was prepared, but also by the fridge stocked full of sauces to complement our meals. There was a variety, but the salsa rosado was everyone’s favorite. For dessert, we ordered Nutella tequeños. Although we had doubts that the fried rolled pastries full of Nutella were authentically Venezuelan, the flavor soon dissipated any superficial suspicions. All in all, we had a great night full of enriching dialogue and delicious food.

Author mikeyawnPosted on March 11, 2020Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Food, PoliticsTags Ambassador Carlos Vecchio, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sabor Venezuela, Sam Houston State University, SHSU, Venezuela, World Affairs Council of Greater HoustonLeave a comment on Ambassador Vecchio Talks Venezuela

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