T1X4S

  From Gwen (member of Treaty 1 Christians for Socialism):  

Henry Gómez-Barrios and I met as members of our countries’ Student Christian Movements: we and a dozen others lived outdoors together in Southern Ontario, learning to live in community, practicing simple living, and getting to know rural communities nearby. That was in 2001. Eleven years later, as part of my training for ministry through the Centre for Christian Studies, I and two other CCS students visited Venezuela for an educational tour, and Henry spoke to our group about economics in his country.

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In 2019, Henry contacted me and some others from our 2001 group to ask for help with an initiative of his church, trying to raise awareness in Canada about the effects of U.S. and Canadian intervention on regular Venezuelans. In ongoing conversation, I became aware of the great need in Henry’s community and his own family, and the work of his church and another faith group that they are part of to try to care for the needs among them and around them. Treaty 1 Christians for Socialism found that we could help their immediate situation by raising funds for sewing machines and a used car, which they will use to earn income.  The items, exchange rate, and transfer fees have been priced out, and we are hoping to raise $7,690.

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This project only helps one family, and by extension their community; but it is a very direct and real act of Christian solidarity across languages and borders.

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  Read Henry’s piece   about international sanctions against Venezuela and the struggle for a just world, “Venezuela Does Not Give Up” (translated from Spanish).