Fleeing to Survive: Venezuelan Families Escape and Start Again

Your generosity is rebuilding the lives of Venezuelan women and children across the border.

Long before U.S. forces captured Venezuelan dictator Maduro, nearly 8 million Venezuelans had already fled their country to escape widespread poverty and violence. Since 2014, the country has been impacted by an economic collapse under its tyrannical government. Millions of people lost their jobs, professions, and homes. Faced with starvation, families fled to neighboring countries in what is now known as one of the world’s largest migration crises. The number of Venezuelan refugees has even surpassed that of countries like Syria and Ukraine, where war has forced the displacement of millions. 

In this humanitarian emergency, Venezuelan women and children are the most vulnerable. Some 5 million children are facing hunger, and 3.9 million have no schools to attend. Many mothers walk for months, making the dangerous journey across their country’s border, desperate to feed their children and provide them with a better way of life.  

For over a year, World Challenge has helped our partners near the Venezuela border that provide critical aid to these migrant women and their children. Those who have journeyed so far have lost everything, but your financial support is helping restore hope to broken lives.

Shelter, Healing, and Hope 

In Medellín, Colombia, a Christian care center has opened its doors to Venezuelan women and their children. One such refugee is Janet who was a doctor in Venezuela. Her certification papers were taken at the border and held for bribe money, which she did not have. She took every opportunity to find work in Colombia to provide for her and her children, only to find false promises and horrific abuse. 

When Janet eventually arrived at the care center, she was bruised and beaten, physically and emotionally. Through tender care and discipleship, Janet has found healing rooted in her new relationship with Jesus Christ. In the coming weeks, we plan to share more of Janet’s incredible journey. Her testimony is proof that God is meeting Venezuelan refugees in the midst of this crisis. 

Through your partnership, refugee women along with their children are finding hope and restoration. The center provides a safe place to live, nutritious meals, education for the children, and a program to train the women in sewing, baking, and computer skills. They are given the tools and training to start a small business, helping them build a new life and a better future for themselves and their families.

Beyond a plate of food and skillful training, the women are introduced to the love of Jesus and discipled in the Word of God. They are encouraged to look to Jesus for answers. Where there was once only despair in their journey, they now know the joy and hope of Jesus Christ!

Answering the Call 

A year ago, World Challenge reached out to our supporters to help us answer the call in reaching these refugees. You answered. Thank you! Through your prayers and financial gifts, we are providing life-saving aid to Venezuelan refugees and sharing the hope of the gospel.

But the ongoing migration crisis is still critical. The need is urgent in reaching vulnerable refugee families with life-saving support. Visas have been restricted, limiting humanitarian assistance into the country, so all efforts are confined to bordering countries.  

World Challenge is connecting with those inside Venezuela to care for orphans, widows, and those in desperate need as soon as sanctions are lifted. Millions of families are living in poverty. Would you pray for open doors in Venezuela? 

Please partner with us as we serve orphans, widows, and those who are in desperate need in South America and around the world. A monthly gift of $40 or more will continue to help us answer the call to help restore broken lives through the life-changing work of the gospel.