Hope in the eyes of millions

On a recent visit to Venezuela by Venezuela Solidarity Campaign members I could see the hope in the eyes of people wherever they were touched by the revolution. And millions have been liberated as a result of the social missions being provided by the Bolivarian revolution under President Chavez.

When arriving in the Capital in Caracas none of the photographs I had seen of the barrios had prepared me for what I saw. It was a truly magnificent site from a distance, where millions seem to live over the numerous and magnificent mountains. However, on closer examination, the enormous poverty and desperation was obvious when visiting the neighbourhoods which have been forgotten for the last 40 years, until the election of Chavez in 1999.

However, even in the most desperate of communities, with dilapidated housing, no green space, broken roads and paving, and precarious overhanging houses, hope for the future was obvious. In the classrooms where some of the 50% of the population were studying numerous literacy and language courses, students ranging from teenagers to pensioners talked enthusiastically of their chances to learn and participate in building their own future. Whilst their comments were translated by the unceasing assistance of participants in Venezuela, the hope and confidence that shone from the eyes of the students needed no translation. The Bolivarian revolution is truly a beacon for workers and progressives world-wide.

The newly created primary health centres, with the support of 10,000’s of Cuban doctors, sprouted like mushrooms all around. With each one serving around 250 families, a better ratio than the UK, the opportunity for free and universal health care is available to millions. Upon visiting one such Health centre I heard the cries of a young child with a cut hand. The deep pain in the voice of a child (as only children do) resounded around the centre whilst he was being treated was only surpassed by the instant recovery (as only children can) once treated by the caring Cuban doctor. If this had happened anytime before 2003, when the doctors arrived on mass, the mother would have been left to fend for her son or find resources from a poverty income to visit the dilapidated, not so local, hospital.

When visiting the joint Civilian-Military base in Caracas, the young volunteers who were amongst the first to respond after the call from Chavez to train to defend the homeland. They talked enthusiastically of their determination to participate in the revolution and further strengthen the links with the community. A fundamental bedrock for defending the advances made under the revolution.

In La Victoria, meeting with members of the Local Communist Party the optimism after the recent success of the local elections was further demonstration of support for the revolution. The local party Secretary Carlos Ojeda who has won a local council election has commence of Alo Councillor from the centre of La Victoria via the local community radio.

We spoke on this radio station expressing our solidarity with the Venezuelan workers and gave news about the highly successful distribution of the DVD The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. We committed ourselves to re-double our solidarity and campaigning within Britain, especially amongst the trade union movement, in support of the progress being made by workers.

Numerous co-operative businesses being established to produce products for consumption by millions of Venezuelans demonstrated a significant progress after a 40 year IMF backed reign of economic destruction.

The last place to be touched by the Revolution that I experienced was the Maternidad hospital in Caracas. This dilapidated building, as a major hospital, is impatient for the third stage of Plan Adentro III to be implemented in December. Amongst other things this will hopefully address the chronic shortage of specialist equipment which is needed by the highly professionals staff at all levels in the hospital. One doctor was having to perform Ultra sound scans of patients requiring Brain and abdomen  scans with Ultra sound equipment designed for completely different medical uses, vaginal scanner.

Speaking with the domestics and nurse who have created, less than one year ago, the local health branch affiliated to the UNT, it was obvious that they have a determination to control their destiny. With a commitment and ability to drive forward and overcome the many obstacles being thrown at them by elements of the IV republic, the future for the hospitals should soon follow the lead given in the primary health centres.

VSC will be speaking at public meetings to talk and share with others the liberating experience of the process unleashed by President Chavez.

Andy Goodall
VSC