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onthegroundinternational

Every couple of weeks we host a community meal. We

Every couple of weeks we host a community meal. We hire a local Venezuelan chef and invite people we work with from the community.

This week we had the pleasure of inviting a whole load of kids! The ‘kids from Vanessa’s’. Vanessa’s is one of the local shelters in Pamplona that provides food and a bed for the night for caminantes making the long journey. These kids are no different. They all arrived at Vanessas as caminantes.
Some are kids of now permanent volunteers at the shelters and others are kids of Venezuelans who have decided to settle in Pamplona.

Two of the boys arrived with their father. Whilst their mum holds fort back in Venezuela, the father works around the clock to provide. Vanessa did not what the children who lived down the road to spend their days alone and on the streets playing and falling into petty crime. She persisted that they hang out in the shelter whilst their dad was at work. Weeks rolled into months and the boys were such amazing keen little helpers (aged 14 and 15) around the shelter; registering caminantes, cooking, cleaning, running errands that they gained themselves volunteer positions (which comes with a bed and a monthly stipend). They were over the moon! Now they stay at the shelter permanently whilst on duty.

All these kids attend our weekly English classes run by our superstar volunteers. It soon became apparent how gifted these two latest volunteers were and the news that they weren’t at school (and apparently couldn’t register until February 2022) was enough to rile the volunteers into action.

We are now on the school registration mission. And the boys couldn’t be happier. We will keep you updated. But with the powerhouse of volunteers we are blessed with we don’t plan on failing!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #refugeecrisis #volunteer #peopleofvenezuela #kidsplay #education #community

It’s the little things… Along the route there

It’s the little things…

Along the route there are various aid points and various organisations that provide food to the masses. Understandably the easiest food to provide is that in bulk; soup, rice and more soup usually.

Fleeing your country leaves little choice… little choice of where you sleep, what you eat, and what you’re provided with. We try where we can to give choice. Choice of what socks they choose, choice of what flavour electrolyte they want, choice of what colour poncho they’re given.

We also try to provide small treats where we can. A key example is our mobile aid food; it’s designed to maximise nutritional value, however we also sneak in some tasty Oreos for a little treat. They give back a bit of normality and enjoyment and lift spirits to provide a few moments of light relief.

Last night we were able to provide another such moment. Instead of the usual chicken soup that serves well to warm people up, we dished up hot dogs and chips! Which served well to not only fill empty stomachs but also put a great big smile on everyone’s face. Kids and adults alike grinned like children on their birthdays! It may not be much… but it’s the little things…

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #ontheground #refugeecrisis #itsthelittlethings #treats #hotdogs #peopleofvenezuela #choice #venezuelacrisis #oreos #chips #foodoftheheart #fullbellies #fullhearts

Going the extra mile… or four… Yesterday on o

Going the extra mile… or four…

Yesterday on our mobile aid trip we came across this elderly man who was walking one legged across Colombia to Peru in search of an affordable life, instead of enjoying his well earned pension.

Yesterday we were able to give him a lift direct to a shelters door in Pamplona. However when we arrived a few hours later for evening projects he had decided to leave, eager to make haste and get as far ahead on his long journey as possible. Pamplona to the next shelter is on average 8-10 hours walks for a young fit adult. This journey is a mountainous route that reaches the start of the paramount. We always advise caminantes to leave as early as possible in the mornings to tackle the stretch to be able to arrive in daylight. It’s safe to say leaving at 2pm on one leg to tackle this stretch is not advisable.

Knowing the journey that faced this man on this stretch, and the little shelter and bitter night that he would surely endure instead of a warm bed and hot food in a shelter in Pamplona, we couldn’t leave it be. We sent out our trusted search party of one, our coordinator Timothe and our trusty moped. He scoured the road and any houses along the route. Thankfully he managed to find our escapee tucking down for the night in an empty abandoned house about 4 miles from where we had left him!

Our OTGI shinning knight (Timothe) and chariot (moped) safely brought him to the comfort of the shelter. Tomorrow his OTGI carriage awaits him to the Laguna.

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #safepassage #humanitarianaid #support #shelter #peopleofvenezuela #refugees #refugeecrisis #venezuelancrisis

Crocs are the most common shoes that Venezuelans u

Crocs are the most common shoes that Venezuelans use to walk (often across various countries). They are the cheapest option and usually the only option. Although comfortable they wear thin quickly and people often walk with huge holes and even bigger blisters. Where we can we provide a new set of tools in form of trainers to bid them on their journey hoping they will get them to their final destination. Although a small item, it is often the most needed along with food and rehydration. There are no words to describe the joy, light and gratitude which beams from caminantes faces and exhausted bodies, when gifted a new pair of shoes!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #grateful #newshoes #theseshoesaremadeforwalking #humanitarianaid #refugee #peopleofvenezuela #mobileaid #localsupport #humanitariancrisis #refugeecrisis #crocs

Even halfway up a mountain, in the pouring rain th

Even halfway up a mountain, in the pouring rain there’s hope ❤️

Each day we run mobile aid along the route. Giving out food, drink, clothing and smiles. Most often than not it’s the caminantes that provide the jokes and laughs first, even sodden through and fatigued. Sometimes there’s even music and a dancing in the rain! Everyday we are in awe of human resilience. These are the people of Venezuela.

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #humans #humanresilience #peopleofvenezuela #strength #humanitarianaid #refugees #hope #dancingintherain

Meet Mario! Shelters along the route provide cam

Meet Mario!

Shelters along the route provide caminantes (walkers) with one night safety where they receive a hot meal and a warm smile. A few of the most vulnerable caminantes are permitted (at the discretion of the shelter) to stay 2-3 nights more to rest before their next leg of their long journey. Mario was one of those most vulnerable ones. At 75 he arrived on his own with a nasty dog bite on his leg and evident onset of Alzheimer’s - a year ago!

One day led into another and soon it became a year... Mario is now an adopted permanent resident. His Alzheimer’s has progressed and often believes most of us are his wives or siblings. He sometimes wanders off for sometime, but somehow always finds his way back. All the local volunteers have their adopted roles to care for him; some bathe him, some cook for him and the younger ones wind him up affectionately. He’s part of the shelter now.

Today we celebrated his one year anniversary. We danced, celebrated and ate!

Who knows if he knew today was his 1 year anniversary, his birthday or his wedding but what we do know is that he felt loved, cared for and safe ❤️

(The dapper ‘vintage’ T-shirt and holiday hat was a gift from our volunteers. The irony most likely lost on Mario…)

#OTGI #ontheground #onthegroundnow #humanitarianaid #beinghuman #1year #anniversary #Alzheimer #support #celebrate #peopleofvenezuela #shelter

Every few weeks we have a community meal at our vo

Every few weeks we have a community meal at our volunteer house where we invite members of the community that we work with and their family. It’s a lovely opportunity to get to know them better and thank them for their hard work.

Last night we invited some of our drivers who work tirelessly to provide mobile aid along the route. It was a bittersweet night with many laughs, beautiful food and touching goodbye speeches for our volunteer coordinator @ry_spies.

Today we bid a “see you later” not a “goodbye” to Ryan as he starts the new exciting chapter in the USA. From all of us at OTGI, thank you for all you are and all you do, that words can’t do justice for. Best of luck for your next adventure!

#OTGI #ontheground #humanitariansupport #refugees #peopoeofvenezuela #communitymeal #hardgoodbyes #thankyou #gracias #volunteercoordinator #peopleofcolombia #pamplona #volunteer #support #aid #refugeecrisis

Spot the difference! Before and after photos of

Spot the difference!

Before and after photos of today’s clean up. At OTGI we keep our eyes peeled for areas that could do with some TLC and community clean up. This is a hot spot on the way from Pamplona to Bucaramanga with caminantes taking refuge for the night. Unfortunately often a lot of rubbish is left behind.

Wherever we are on projects we always take bin liners with us to pick up what we can on our way. We also ensure our projects produce as least waste as possible and what we do produce we bring back with us. Fortnightly we run community clean ups in areas of need be it in rivers, local suburbs, abandoned houses or the city centre!

#OTGI #ontheground #cleanup #communityclean #litterpick #zerowaste #peopleofvenezuela #community #colombia

Fresh start! Last week one of the shelters in Pa

Fresh start!

Last week one of the shelters in Pamplona got a fresh lick of paint to brighten up their walls and provide a more inviting space for ‘caminantes’. OTGI were able to support by providing volunteers to help out. We had a great time getting stuck in with the shelters local volunteers! The shelter is now ready to welcome people to stay again day in and day out.

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #shelter #refuge #humanitarianaid #peopleofvenezuela #gracias #refugees #venezuelancrisis #lickofpaint #freshstart #diy #redecorating #caminantes #safeplace

Every Tuesday and Thursday we run a community outr

Every Tuesday and Thursday we run a community outreach programme in Simon Bolivar where we provide a safe space for local kids (a mix of Colombians and Venezuelans) to play, learn and enjoy! From basketball, football, skipping, running, drawing, bracelet making, homework help - we see it all!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #community #communityoutreach #kidsplay #creativewellbeing #support #peopleofcolombia #peopleofvenezuela #integration #childsplay

One of our newest projects is our English classes

One of our newest projects is our English classes being taught to our resident Venezuelan and Colombian volunteers at the shelters we support in Pamplona. Ages of the students vary but their excitement doesn’t! They’ve all been so keen and it’s beautiful to be able to practice with them out of class, when we are at the shelters on other projects too!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #english #himanitarianaid #support #shelter #refuge #refugee #peopleofvenezuela #learnenglish #volunteer ##

Every day we see hundreds of people with worn and

Every day we see hundreds of people with worn and broken shoes. The majority in crocs - the cheapest option. The others in holey, broken and ‘talking’ shoes. Totally inadequate for the thousands of miles they plan to walk. On our mobile aid project we’re able to provide new shoes to reach their destination of choice, be it Bogota, Ecuador, Peru or Chile!

#OTGI #ontheground #onthegroundnow #theseshoesaremadeforwalking #humanitarianaid #support #peopleofvenezuela #mobileaid #refugees #walkingtoabetterfuture

At OTGI we are always developing new projects and

At OTGI we are always developing new projects and services where we see needs. Last week one of our new volunteers brought with her a slack line. Next thing we knew we have a new community programme! Find us in the main square every Sunday where we will be slack lining into the afternoon with the local kids 🙌

#OTGI #ontheground #offtheground #slackline #community #kidsplay #sundayfunday #creativewellbeing #volunteer #communitysupport #communityengagement #parkperks #noslack

Meet the team! From left to right: Matti from th

Meet the team!

From left to right: Matti from the UK who’s our project coordinator ft her new found love of crocs. Bethani from the US who is the founder and director of OTGI who sadly flies back today. Emily also from the US who is our community engagement coordinator and baker extraordinaire. And finally our South African superstar Ryan who is our volunteer coordinator.

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #dreamteam #humanitarianaid #volunteers #refugeecrisis #peopleofvenezuela #venezuelancrisis #teamwork #onthegroundinternational #crocs

OTGI is solely run by volunteers and we wouldn’t

OTGI is solely run by volunteers and we wouldn’t be anything without them! Sadly today we said goodbye to a whole bunch of our lovely volunteers. We wish them all the best in the future. Thank you for being such great team players and putting your all into everything you do!

If you’d like to volunteer with us please do get in touch!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #humanitarianaid #volunteer #refugecrisis #peopleofvenezuela #workaway #support #refugees #gracias #thankyou

VIPers... In any crisis, children are often the

VIPers...

In any crisis, children are often the most innocent victims. Everyday we see a huge amount of little humans walking to a better future and everyday we are in awe of their pure resilience and strength. They could have been walking for days and days, without shelter but when they arrive at their temporary destination for the night they are often full of energy and ready to play! We could learn a lot from them...

These kids here are midway through their days journey. Stopping for a quick respite at the aid tent for hot soup, water and some VIP treatment from our trusty volunteers. Foot care, massages, and giggles all round!

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #onthegroundinternational #peopleofvenezuela #kidsplay #playingaround #respite #refugeecrisis #venezuelancrisis #humanitarianaid #aidtent #resilience #childrenofthecrisis

Here at OTGI it’s important to us to support the

Here at OTGI it’s important to us to support the local community and respect our surroundings. We regularly run local litter picks including river cleans too! Last week our awesome volunteers spent various hours ridding the river of trash. Thank you!

#OTGI #Onthegroundnow #onthegroundinternational #litterpick #trash #riverclean #lookafterourplanet #humanitarianaid #community #refugeecrisis #venezuela #humanitariancrisis #caminantes #peopleofvenezuela #supportlocal

One step at a time... We’ve met this man twice.

One step at a time...

We’ve met this man twice. The first time we met him he was walking on his own pushing what looked like his life’s belongings. We stopped, determined to give this man, who should be enjoying his retirement, a lift to Pamplona saving him at least 8 hours walking. To which he kindly refused. His plan was to collect cardboard recycling along the route which he could later sell to the recycling plant to pay for his journey to Bogota.

He originally planned to leave Venezuela and head to Bogota, Colombia to find work to feed his three children back home where the average few dollars monthly salary can’t support even one person. But due to the national strikes and unrest in Colombia it’s made it highly dangerous and difficult to get to Bogota.

Change of plan.

The second time we met him he was returning to Cucuta (Colombia/Venezuela border), this time recycling metal all the way back to send money home. He plans to arrive in Cucuta and do the same back to Pamplona in order to raise funds. Cleaning the streets and feeding his family one step at a time...

He told us how the roads in Venezuela are lined with recyclable material. But it’s illegal to recycle In Venezuela. You would be arrested collecting the recycling to sell it. You would be sent to jail. Yet people are dying of starvation...

#OTGI #onthegroundnow #onthegroundinternational #entrepreneur #onstepatatime #recycle #recyclingideas #respect #changeofplan #peopleofvenezuela #refugeecrisis #venezuelancrisis #refugeestories

Each day we run the route from Bochelema to La Lag

Each day we run the route from Bochelema to La Laguna supporting caminantes on their journey. Each day we see many many people. Babies, children, parents, friends and grandparents.

Today we were able to give shoes to those who needed them most.

Photo 1 - This happy chappy has been walking for 2 months with his wife (pregnant with twins), two young children and two dogs. He’d been robbed and attacked and was walking shoeless. Not anymore!

Photo 2 - This grandmother was headed to Bogota with her family. 1 months minimum walk ahead. She now has hole-less shoes to get her there.

Photo 3 - This family’s destination was ‘to a better future’.

Photo 4 - These shoes had been new at the start of their journey.

Photo 5 - Father and sons with shoes ready to get them to Peru.

Photo 6 - The same father and sons moments before. The lorry ironically reads “The one who drives well, reaches farthest / For a good journey”

Photo 7 - A young family we were able to give a lift to. Only just crossed the border they had already walked for 10 days. This is only the beginning of their journey.

Photo 8 - A reminder that these kids are still kids. Given an opportunity to rest these two jumped into the river for a rinse and sibling rivalry.

#OTGI #Onthegroundnow #onthegroundinternational #peopleofvenezuela #refugeecrisis #crisis #humanitariancrisis #venezuela #caminantes #humanitarianaid #humanstories

THANK YOU!! We are overwhelmed by the generosity

THANK YOU!!

We are overwhelmed by the generosity from our FEET fundraiser! We have raised enough to be able to buy 1,700 pairs of shoes which are so deeply needed! Thank you for supporting the people of Venezuela ❤️

#OTGI #Onthegroundnow #thankyou #gracias #feetfundraiser #shoedrive #support #peopleofvenezuela #humanitarianaid #refugeecrisis

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