00:00In Venezuela, a different kind of relief efforts is underway after the June 24th earthquakes.
00:05While rescue teams continue searching throughout rubble and aid supplies are distributed to the hottest heat areas,
00:10a group of volunteers is focusing on the emotional well-being of the youngest survivors.
00:16Despite the uncertainty gripping Venezuela after the earthquakes,
00:20volunteers are working in temporary camps to bring smiles and playtime to children.
00:24Organized by the Ministry of Culture, volunteer artists are visiting various locations in the capital city in costumes, with games,
00:32and with puppet shows.
00:33They aim to create an environment where children and adolescents can take a break from the anguish, stress, and trauma
00:39caused by the current situation.
00:43We are supporting all our children, youth, and families who are in a truly vulnerable, extreme situation and who are
00:50going through a very great trauma.
00:55There is nothing better than art, recreation, and culture to offer a healing for the soul, for the spirit.
01:03Puppets of macaws, monkeys, and jaguars are presented to the children to tell stories.
01:10Together with traditional instruments, the puppets invite the little ones to learn about the country's iconic creatures and cope with
01:16their situation.
01:18The puppets restore the children's smiles amid the pain.
01:23We also have the puppets, our dolls that are also Venezuelan characters.
01:28The macaw, which is one of the main birds of Venezuela.
01:33We have the monkey, which is also native to our jungles.
01:38We also have the tiger.
01:40Here in Venezuela, we have cunaguaros.
01:43As the stories continue, accompanied by music, volunteers from a circus company dress up in clown costumes and perform magic
01:52tricks and acrobatics to cheer up the children.
01:57We are all united here, stilt walkers, puppeteers, storytellers, poets, and painters, those of us who create culture in Venezuela.
02:07We are here to work with these children and give them a moment of joy and distraction.
02:14Amid the tragedy, Venezuelan arts and culture join forces to protect, shelter, and uplift children and adolescents,
02:24while search efforts and supply deliveries continue in the affected areas.
02:29We are here to work with these children.
Comments