Family in Venezuela: GoFundMe Campaign

FAMILY IN VENEZUELA To donate through GoFundMe, please see https://www.gofundme.com/gd8xk-family-in-venezuela&rcid=r01-153305509184-11ad4f4d41204ade&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m OUR STORY  My name is Rómer Zerpa Avendaño and my wife is Casey Powell. I am from Mérida State, in Venezuela, and Casey is from Rochester, New York. We originally met in our master's degree program at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010 and now live outside of Denver with our toddler. I am currently in my second year of a 4-year plumbing apprenticeship program while Casey takes care of our son.  By the end of the apprenticeship, I will have obtained an associate's degree in Applied Science, the title of journeyman, and finally that of master plumber. While the future as a plumber looks very promising, starting out is difficult economically.  Still in my apprenticeship, there  is little flexibility to help others at times. All while I try my very best to take care of myse...

Family in Venezuela: Testimony by Pedro José Avendaño Muñoz Translation of Pedro’s oral testimony regarding the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela Transcribed and translated by Casey Powell Sent via WhatsApp voice message on 30 September 2017 Transcription of original following translation, below. Translation of transcribed oral testimony “Hello, hello. My greetings. My name is Pedro José Avendaño Muñoz. I am 56 years old. I live in El Valle, Mérida State, in Venezuela. I am a farmer, musician, singer-actor, composer, and… and instructor, I am also, of music for children in low income neighborhoods. Four years ago, a small government leadership group took charge of worsening the situation in our country. And to give… and to close off many people’s paths who neither share their ideas nor their impulses. They have led us to, little by little, live, day by day, in a situation of terrible necessity.     Economically, we are doing very badly. Money ...

Family in Venezuela: Testimony by Rosaura Rojas Translation of Rosaura's written testimony regarding the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela Translated by Casey Powell Sent via WhatsApp text message on 4 September 2017.  Transcription of original following translation, below. Translation of written testimony My name is Rosaura Rojas, Venezuelan by birth, 63 years of age I am a retired teacher. For 50 years, I lived very tranquilly in my county. The quality of life, since three years ago, has complicated. However, this year it is more intense.  Today, we are experiencing a lot: emotionally, physically, and socially.  Never in our history have we had a situation so complicated like the one we are living right now.  It is impossible to to buy clothes and shoes. Trained human resource personnel have emigrated and they continue to emigrate. The material resources and natural resources are poorly administered.  The corrupt...

Family in Venezuela: Testimony by Nahaliel Rojas Translation of Nahaliel's written testimony regarding the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela Translated by Casey Powell Sent via WhatsApp text message on 4 September 2017.  Transcription of original following translation, below. Translation of written testimony Nahaliel Rojas, Venezuelan, 36 years old. National Identity Number 14570397. I am a business man and independent laborer. 1) The country is experiencing economic, social and moral problems. 2) The corruption is incredibly elevated, specifically those who are in positions of leadership. 3) Neither problems are being solved nor solutions are being given regarding the humanitarian crisis in which we are living. 4) My life has changed economically. There is no longer a middle class nor upper class. Nothing is able to be purchased due to the high cost of everything: There is no purchasing power. 5) Necessities such as food, mediicne, clothes, shoes as well...

Family in Venezuela: Testimony by Hilda Celina Avendaño Translation of Hilda Celina Avendaño's oral testimony regarding the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela Transcribed and translated by Casey Powell Sent via WhatsApp voice message on  4 September 2017.  Transcription of original following translation, below. Translation of transcribed oral testimony "Good friends of this beautiful country. To you, Casey, I send kisses, hugs, and hope that you are well. To Rómer, may God bless you both and this beautiful baby. And, well, now, I will tell you that I am Hilda Celina Avendaño. I am the mother of Rómer, Venezuelan, 62 years old. Ultimately dedicated to taking care of my home because, given the situation of this country, I have been unable to work or dedicate myself to what I was doing before: I had my own business, a Laundromat, and, honestly, I don’t have the resources to pay to fix the equipment. And, well, what’s going on in this country, in real...