Violence is a part of daily life in Caracas, Venezuela.  According to a study recently released by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela (INE), 19,133 violent deaths were registered in 2009, 72 homicides for every 100,000 residents.  Some of these men and women were murdered, while many others were victims of stray bullets.  Children are not immune; a third of the victims were between the ages of 15 and 24.

The risk is much higher if you belong to the lowest two socioeconomic groups in Venezuela, like many of the Christel House students.  Over half of the reported homicide victims belonged to this group.  Jesus Noguera, 16, is a 12th grader who has seen the violence first hand. Jesus says “I live in a very insecure place in La Vega, but this is my environment.”

Although the situation looks bleak for kids growing up in La Vega, Jesus does not want to add another body to the statistics.  He sees a brighter future through the work-study program at Christel House Venezuela, where 96% of the alumni are pursing higher education, are gainfully employed, or both.  Jesus says “My dream is study Exterior Trade at Simón Bolívar University (USB) or to become an accountant of the Universidad Central University (UCV).  I would like to be an accountant of a big company, and later to be a successful businessman."