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onthegroundinternational

Recently we opened a new shelter near Bochalema, o

Recently we opened a new shelter near Bochalema, on the road between the border city of Cucuta and Pamplona. ‘Esperanza Hoy’ provides a place to sleep, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner for those passing through. We have a fantastic team with some familiar faces from our La Laguna shelter, as well as some new ones, including Jose, the 19-year-old Venezuelan that the group of us walking met on the first day. He was heading towards Bogota to find work, but luckily we had a spot in our Bochalema shelter for someone to join the team!! Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and OTGI friends that have been involved with the new shelter, and thank you to @Designsby.melissamarie for designing our wonderful new sign.

Recientemente abrimos un refugio nuevo cerca de Bochalema, en la carretera entre Cúcuta y Pamplona. ‘Esperanza Hoy’ provee un lugar para dormir, desayunar, almorzar y cenar para aquellos que pasan por allí. Tenemos un equipo fantástico con unas caras familiares de nuestro refugio en La Laguna, además de unas nuevas, que incluye Jose, el venezolano que el grupo de nosotros caminando conocimos en el primer día de la caminata. Él estaba dirigiendo hacia Bogotá para buscar trabajo, pero afortunadamente tuvimos un puedo en Esperanza Hoy para alguien unir el equipo! Gracias a todos los empleados, voluntarios y amigos de OTGI, y gracias a @Designsby.melissamarie por diseñar nuestro nuevo letrero!

#venezuela #colombia #caminantes #venezolanos #gracias #shelter #refugio #albergue #crisis #migrants #refugees #help #refugiados #migrantes #pamplona #cucuta #bochalema

DAY 5: We’re done!! Rain, fog and then sun. Toda

DAY 5: We’re done!! Rain, fog and then sun. Today was easier than yesterday as we slept well and it was all downhill. But we were still exhausted by the time we finished and our feet are full of bruises and blisters. We met Jose, a 63 year old caminante, who we had a nice chat with and bought some food. Then we met Jose, and a couple of other Venezuelan walkers. This has been hard, really hard, but we’re all glad we at least have some knowledge of what the walk is like. Thank you all so much for your donations. Still time to donate. Link here and in bio https://gofund.me/ec246604 #venezuelans #venezolanos #venezuela #Colombia #caminantes #fundraising #tired #migrants #migrantes #refugiados #refugees #crisis

DAY 4: Just 4 of us left and it’s a tough day. N

DAY 4: Just 4 of us left and it’s a tough day. None of us woke up feeling good and the fatigue has really kicked in. Luckily it hasn’t rained today but walking at altitude is hard. Some caminantes passed us who had managed to jump on the back of a truck - a quicker but dangerous way of doing some of the journey. It’s hard to imagine people do this with kids and luggage, and in the cold and rain https://gofund.me/ec246604 #venezuela #colombia #venezolanos #migrantes #migrants #refugiados #walking #altitude

DAY 3: Our numbers have increased for part of the

DAY 3: Our numbers have increased for part of the journey. It’s Pamplona-La Laguna today. The weather’s colder, foggier and a little rainier. Most caminantes on this route don’t have jackets and aren’t used to the chilly temperatures, with most of them coming from warmer climates. Please donate https://gofund.me/ec246604 Link also in bio. #venezuela #colombia #pamplona #venezolanos #caminantes #migrantes #walk #volunteering #sabado #saturday #migrants #otgi #venezuelacrisis #awareness

DAY 2: We spent the night at our new shelter near

DAY 2: We spent the night at our new shelter near Bochalema, having walked 44 kilometres on day 1. We’d met a Venezuelan called Jose, walking alone and he’s now walking with us. He’s heading to Bogotá. The team at the shelter looked after us well and now we’re back on the road again… with sore legs! Please donate to this link (also in bio): https://gofund.me/ec246604 #colombia #venezuela #venezolanos #caminantes #bochalema #caminar #crisis #volunteerinf#g #fundraising #migrantes #migrants #walking #refugiados #refugees

NEW CAMPAIGN: 200km in 5 days Today marks the fir

NEW CAMPAIGN: 200km in 5 days
Today marks the first day of our 200km walk from Cúcuta (border with Venezuela) to Bucaramanga to raise money for Venezuelans in need of help in Colombia. This is the same route caminantes make and we’ll be sharing some of their stories on the way. Please support us by donating to the link in our bio, and sharing it if you can. Thank you OTGI friends!! #venezuelans #colombians #venezolanos #colombianos #caminantes #campaign #walk #fundraising #migrants #refugees #hunger #crisis #cucuta #thursday

Happy Easter from all of the team at OTGI! // Feli

Happy Easter from all of the team at OTGI! // Feliz día de Pascua, de todo el equipo de OTGI!

The work helping Venezuelans here in Pamplona wouldn’t be possible without our past, present and future and volunteers, workers, donors and everyone else who supports us. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

El trabajo ayudando a los caminantes venezolanos, aquí en Pamplona no sería posible sin nuestros voluntarios presentes, pasados y futuros, trabajadores y donantes que nos han apoyado. MUCHAS GRACIAS A TODOS DE USTEDES! #happyeaster #pascua #venezuela #colombia #pamplona #caminantes #venezolanos #colombianos #extranjeros #voluntarios #volunteer #volunteering #team #equipo #crisis #crisisvenezuela #migrantes #refugiados #migrants #refugees #caminantes #easter

One smile makes it all worthwhile. // Una sonrisa

One smile makes it all worthwhile. // Una sonrisa hace que todo valga la pena. ☺️

There are many casualties of the Venezuela crisis, and the education and the wellbeing of the country’s children are just a couple of them. It’s no exaggeration to say that Venezuela risks a lost generation. But at Vanessa’s shelter in Pamplona, children are a priority. Whether it’s the Venezuelan children who now call Pamplona home, or those just staying a night or two, OTGI and the shelter volunteers try to give each and every one of them some normality. English and maths lessons, homework help, singing, painting and playing games - these are just some of the ways we do this.

Hay muchas víctimas de la crisis venezolana, la educación y bienestar de los niños del país son solo algunos de ellos. No es exagerado decir que Venezuela arriesga una generación perdida. Pero en el albergue de Vanessa en Pamplona, los niños son una prioridad. Ya sean los niños que habitan en Pamplona, o los que solo se quedan una noche o dos, los voluntarios que viven en el albergue y de OTGI tratan de darle a cada niño algo de la normalidad. Clases de inglés y matemática, ayudar con la tarea, cantar, pintar y jugar - son algunas de las maneras en que hacemos esto.

#children #kids #venezuela #colombia #venezolanos #pamplona #refugees #migrants #caminantes #refugiados #caminantes #crisis #venezuelacrisis #english #maths #tarea #homework #smile #sonrisa #volunteer #voluntariado #volunteering #ong #ngo

Community kitchen day! Every Monday and Wednesday

Community kitchen day! Every Monday and Wednesday OTGI volunteers join up with the team at Marta’s shelter to prepare tasty and nutritious meals for some members of the community, as well as Venezuelans passing through on their long journeys. For many people living and working in Pamplona, it’s not just about getting a decent meal, but a chance to sit and chat with others. For those still days and weeks away from their destinations, it’s an opportunity for a well-needed rest, and to know there are people that haven’t forgotten them.

¡Es el día de la cocina para la comunidad! Cada lunes y miércoles voluntarios de OTGI se unen con el equipo en el refugio de Marta para preparar platos ricos y nutritivos para algunos miembros de la comunidad, además venezolanos pasando por Pamplona durante sus largos viajes. Para muchas personas viviendo y trabajando en Pamplona, no es solo conseguir algo para comer, sino una oportunidad para sentarse y charlar con otras. Por ellos todavía días y semanas de su destinos, es un momento para un descanso muy necesario, y para saber que hay gente que no los ha olvidado.
#pamplona #colombia #caminantes #refugiados #migrantes #comunidad #nortedesantander #venezuela #venezuelacrisis #ayuda #shelter #refugio #voluntarios #migrants #refugees #community #cocina #cooking #food #volunteer #volunteering #crisis

🇺🇲 Yesterday we had our first Language excha

🇺🇲 Yesterday we had our first Language exchange. With some of our international volunteers and some locals, we had a great time learning both Spanish and English. Did you miss it on Sunday, but would like to participate next week? You are welcome on Sunday at 3.30pm in Roots restaurant.

🇨🇴 Ayer tuvimos nuestro primer intercambio de idiomas. Con algunos de nuestros voluntarios internacionales y algunos locales de Pamplona lo pasamos muy bien aprendiendo español e inglés. Te lo perdiste esta semana pero te gustaría participar la semana proxima? Estás bienvenido/a el domingo a las 3.30pm en el restaurante Roots.

📍Roots, Museo Casa Anzoátegui, Pamplona

Venezuela has been in a crisis since 2014, since t

Venezuela has been in a crisis since 2014, since then 6 million Venezuelans have left their country in search for a better life in neighboring countries.
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#Venezuela #Colombia #Venezuelancrisis #OTGI #Caminantes #refugeecrisis #refugee

(Español en los comentarios) Vanessa’s Shelte

(Español en los comentarios)

Vanessa’s Shelter

Vanessa’s shelter is one of the two remaining shelters in Pamplona where our On The Ground International volunteers help out. The shelter is run by Vanessa, who is Colombian, but lived in Venezuela many years before the crisis. When the crisis started, she decided to open a shelter where she provides food, a place to sleep and shower facilities. Besides her work in the shelter, she is studying social work. The shelter has been open for 4.5 years. On a daily basis, they can provide a place to sleep for about 50 people and prepare food for a maximum of 200 people.

On The Ground Volunteers assist in cleaning every day, in preparing and serving the meals, playing with children and giving information about the road ahead.

Leslie (current OTGI volunteer): “Since I began in Vanessa’s kitchen my chopping skills have skyrocketed. I enjoy pounding out the arepas, which are like a tasty thick corn tortilla and served with many meals. But the people here are what makes this place magical. The laughing, dancing, shrieks of delight, the welcoming into their family, the patience with my broken Spanish and slow peeling, the glowing smile on everyone’s faces, and the looks-oh those looks that can portray so much when I struggle to understand the words. This is why I love it here. Time flies by when you are having fun with amazing people while getting to give the gift of a home cooked meal.“

Besides the OTGI volunteers, there are 8 staff members at Vanessa’s. They are all former caminantes that now call the shelter home. They work closely with the OTGI volunteers at the shelter to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Betzabeth (Current staff Vanessa’s shelter ): “My work at Vanessa’s is to work in the kitchen, preparing the lunch and dinner. I like working here because I love to cook. I have a lot of contact with the women and children for which I prepare the food and I am happy if they are happy.”

#OTGI #humanitarianaid #colombia #venezuela #crisis #caminantes #refugees #shelter

Thank you! Our December fundraiser raised a grand

Thank you! Our December fundraiser raised a grand total of $50,000 with out generous match funders! We want to thank everyone for donating, sharing and being involved. We couldn't do this important work without you all!
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#fundraiser #OTGI #OnTheGround #Venezuela #caminantes #crisis #Colombia #Venezuelans #venezuelancrisis #onthegroundnow #refugeecrisis #peopleofvenezuela

These little caminantes feeling the love… And so

These little caminantes feeling the love… And so are we!

Thank you to all those who have donated and continue to support our work on the ground. Because of you these little ones, and many many more, have full bellies, a safe place to sleep and hope for the future!

Last few days to achieve our match fundraising. Ways to donate on our website ❤️

#otgi #onthegroundnow #humanitarianaid #peopleofvenezuela #regugeecrisis #caminantes #thankyou #gracias

3 more days! All the donations we receive in Dece

3 more days!

All the donations we receive in December will be doubled up to 20,000 USD!

Help us reach this goal by donating on our website, link in bio!

Merry Christmas from us all here at OTGI! Wishing

Merry Christmas from us all here at OTGI! Wishing you all a happy holiday wherever you may be ❤️

Last night our volunteers and local volunteers as

Last night our volunteers and local volunteers as well as many caminantes themselves staying at the shelter, stayed up into the early hours preparing the Christmas food! Tonight anyone staying will be having a full Venezuelan Christmas dinner with 300 hayacas!

It may not be a normal Christmas for most this year here in the shelters, but at least it will feel a bit more like Christmas with this spread!

#christmas #navidad #hayacas #volunteer #peopleofvenezuela #celebrat #comidavenezolana #navidadvenezolana #caminantes #preparacion #gracias

Tonight Santa came to visit! When most the world

Tonight Santa came to visit!

When most the world are driving home for Christmas, many thousands of Venezuelans are walking away from home.

Tonight at @alberguevanessa there was some festive cheer for the littlest of caminantes between their journeys on foot. Tonight they danced with Santa. It’s the moments of normality in such abnormality that are so important to protect these little ones ❤️

Strength in number and strength in community ❤️

Twice a week we run a community kids programme in Simon Bolivar. We play, learn and share. These are a few snippets of Thursdays session.

#community #communitycohesion #tugofwar #kidsplay #cometogether #strength

Our local volunteers are trained and equipped to s

Our local volunteers are trained and equipped to support caminantes along the route. Today, Kenny from our Laguna mountain shelter finished his training with @premiereurgence around well-being and dealing with individuals with trauma on the front line. Congrats team for working so hard to achieve this qualification 🎉

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