Canaima Community Library & Cultural Center
Venezuela
Since 2023, OFELIA has:
- Mapped local communities and identified routes to ensure accessibility for all.
- Selected a site in collaboration with the Capitanía de Canaima and community leaders.
- Trained a team of local educators and volunteers to manage and animate the space.
- Secured 75% of the initial budget to prepare the space, purchase materials, and begin activities in schools.
In the heart of Canaima National Park, Venezuela, lies a vibrant Indigenous Pemón Kamarakoto community of 3,000 people. Despite the region’s breathtaking beauty, children and young people here face a stark reality: no public library, scarce educational materials, and limited access to the internet or modern learning tools. The pandemic deepened these inequalities, leaving many students years behind in their education compared to urban peers.
OFELIA’s response is the creation of Canaima’s first-ever library, playroom, and cultural center: a safe, inclusive space where children, youth, and women can learn, connect, and grow. More than a building filled with books, this will be a hub for digital literacy, cultural preservation, and community-led learning. Special emphasis will be placed on producing children’s and youth materials in the Pemón Kamarakoto language, safeguarding a heritage that is at risk of disappearing.
The creation of this library is thanks to the vital support of Ville de Genève and OFELIA’s local partner Fundación Ángeles 14.
The next steps include finalising the space renovations using sustainable construction standards, furnishing and equipping the library, and launching cultural and educational programs for all age groups.
This project is more than a library: it is a beacon of opportunity in a remote region facing educational, environmental, and economic challenges. With the community’s leadership and your support, we can open its doors in 2026 and create lasting change for generations to come.
Your impact starts here
Every contribution lights a path. With your support, OFELIA can reach more learners, spark more curiosity, and build brighter futures. Big or small, your gift helps us turn possibility into progress.
