Global Care Venezuela
- Guanare, Estado Portuguesa. Venezuela
Organizational Overview
Global Care Venezuela is a non-profit foundation and the social outreach arm of CAF Church in Guanare, Venezuela, a congregation of over 400 members. For the past 18 years, initially as a volunteer movement and now as a registered foundation, Global Care has worked to bring spiritual, medical, emotional, and nutritional care to vulnerable communities in the state of Portuguesa. Its mission is rooted in providing hope and tangible support to children, adolescents, and families facing economic hardships and crises. The organization operates a variety of impactful programs, such as Kidpro, which delivers food, medical care, and educational resources to 18 marginalized urban sectors, alongside initiatives like the Aula Creativa Music School and life-skills training in arts and crafts. In 2023, Global Care Venezuela made a significant impact, providing medical assistance and supplies to over 2,500 individuals and ensuring food security for over 700 people on a weekly basis. They also trained 752 individuals in life skills, contributing to long-term community resilience. The foundation works closely with a network of local churches and organizations, empowering them to transform communities through sustainable outreach efforts, driven by the love of Christ. Through these efforts, Global Care continues to demonstrate that, even in challenging times, holistic support and community mobilization can effect enduring change in the lives of the most vulnerable.
Beneficiary Population
- Urban Poor
- Children & Youth
- Women
- Families
- Leaders
Focus Areas
- Spiritual Transformation & Faith Communities
- Leadership Development & Training
- Community Development
- People & Family-Centered Development
Organizational Track Record
Global Care Venezuela has been at the forefront of addressing Venezuela's escalating humanitarian challenges since its inception as a volunteer movement in 2001. Initially formed by students in Barquisimeto, the organization began by supporting homes for street children and has since evolved into a multifaceted social outreach ministry, officially registered in 2019 as the social outreach arm of CAF Church in Guanare. Over the years, Global Care has grown significantly, focusing on providing spiritual, medical, emotional, and nutritional assistance to vulnerable communities. With 18 children's feeding centers established across Guanare, Barquisimeto, Maracay, and Urachiche, the organization now serves 700 children, adolescents, and elderly each week, delivering not just meals but holistic support. Global Care's impact extends beyond food security, as the foundation has offered medical assistance to over 5,000 individuals, mobilizing 130 volunteer doctors for health campaigns. Their Aula Creativa Music School has benefited over 350 children and youth, helping form over 35 worship teams across various churches. The organization has garnered significant community recognition and continues to create transformational change through its volunteer-driven model, which sees over 32,000 volunteer hours annually and receives more than $110,000 USD in in-kind donations. Despite economic challenges, Global Care remains steadfast in its mission to provide tangible hope, transforming lives in some of Venezuela’s most vulnerable communities.
Key Leader Biosketch
Arnel Smit Perez is the founder and president of Global Care Venezuela. He has a Bachelor's in Theology, and has previously served as the Associate Pastor at Jesús el Altísimo church in Barquisimeto, Lara state, as the Associate Pastor at the Baptist Buen Pastor Church, and as the Senior Pastor at the Luminar del Este Baptist Church. He is also the founding Pastor of CAF Church in Guanare, Venezuela and founding leader of the Bold Network. He acts as the official liaison for the Alpha Course in Venezuela and has established various social organizations within the country. Currently, he is a member of the Portuguesa chaplaincy and an ordained minister of the International Network of Churches and its ambassador in Venezuela. Arnel furthermore leads the official network of social non-profit organizations in Guanare, Portuguesa state. He has been married for 24 years and is the proud father of a teenage daughter.
Funding History with Camino Alliance
In early 2024, Global Care Venezuela received a $32,130 USD grant through Camino Alliance to expand and streamline its holistic outreach efforts, with a focus on improving volunteer efficiency and maximizing impact on over 2,000 individuals, particularly children and families in vulnerable communities. The grant was pivotal in supporting the construction of an industrial kitchen and the acquisition of a delivery truck, which significantly improved the logistical efficiency of their operations across 18 urban feeding centers. These centers provide vital nutrition to marginalized communities, improving food security for children and the elderly, who have been left behind by the working-age adults who have emigrated. The project also included the creation of 18 children’s clubs, offering life-skills training, sexual abuse prevention education, and weekly discipleship programs for 700 children. Additionally, the grant supported the establishment of 25 new Alpha and discipleship groups, expected to engage over 1,000 individuals from the communities served. Additionally, the funding facilitated the creation of 25 new Alpha and discipleship groups, engaging over 1,000 individuals from the surrounding areas. By reducing operational burdens on both the volunteer and pastoral teams, the grant enabled Global Care to dedicate more resources to pastoral care, evangelism, and practical support, greatly enhancing the organization’s spiritual and community outreach. This initiative is not only deepening their immediate impact but will also pave the way for sustainable transformation in other vulnerable communities in surrounding areas.