OUR VENEZUELA POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME
My Mentor Lab
Why Venezuela?
When thinking of the reasons for implementing our programme in Venezuela, we came across the following: We have identified two major problems in Venezuela: education inequality and forced migration.
These have recently become interconnected challenges. Venezuela’s ongoing political and economic crisis has resulted in the forced migration of almost 8 million people, creating one of the largest refugee crises in recent history (UNHCR, 2024).
Venezuelan Refugee Crisis:
Since 2014, almost 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country due to the ongoing political and economic crisis, making it the largest recorded refugee crisis in Latin America and one of the most significant in the world (UNHCR, 2024) (European Commission, 2024). This mass exodus, driven by extreme poverty, hyperinflation, lack of basic services, political repression, and violence, has left many families fragmented.
Impact on Education and Social Mobility:
The forced migration has disproportionately affected young people, with many leaving the country in search of safety, better opportunities, and access to jobs. The humanitarian crisis has exacerbated existing educational inequalities, as displaced families struggle to secure stable educational environments for their children.
WORST RECORDED HISTORY OF
HYPERINFLATION
Venezuela
experienced the highest point of hyperinflation in its history in 2018. The
country’s economic crisis, which had been worsening for several years, reached
unprecedented levels when inflation soared to over 1,000,000% by the end
of 2018, according to estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This
hyperinflation was fuelled by a combination of factors, including political
instability, the collapse of the oil industry (Venezuela’s primary source of
revenue), and extensive government printing of money to cover budget deficits.
Prices of goods skyrocketed, leading to extreme shortages of food, medicine,
and other necessities.
For many
Venezuelans, daily life became a struggle to survive, as their wages became
virtually worthless, and many were forced to leave the country in search of
better opportunities abroad. This period of hyperinflation is considered one of
the worst in recorded history.
Supporting Low-Income Venezuelan Students in Higher Education
My Mentor Lab is committed to bridging educational disparities by providing access to high-quality educational resources, mentorship, and opportunities for disadvantaged Venezuelan students. Here’s how MML directly addresses the specific needs of low-income students in Venezuela:
Access to International Education:
Unlike other Latin American nations, Venezuela lacks scholarship opportunities for students aspiring to study abroad. MML tackles this gap by offering guidance and support for students to have the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in a developed country, ensuring they can pursue a higher education that is often inaccessible within their home country.
Mentoring Scheme and Curriculum
Given the educational curriculum limitations in Venezuela—where students often lack access to advanced, globally competitive subjects—MML offers a rigorous curriculum aligned with international standards. This curriculum prepares students to overcome significant knowledge gaps, helping them succeed in global academic environments and boosting their potential for social mobility.
Evidence-Based Interventions:
Our programme design incorporates interventions based on proven research, ensuring that the program’s approach to mentoring, educational access, and academic preparation is informed by the latest research findings. Through high-impact, cost-effective strategies, we maximize resources to create meaningful change.
Applications Opening Soon!
We’re excited to announce that applications to our mentoring scheme for Venezuelan students will be opening soon. This is a unique opportunity for low-income students to receive tailored support, guidance, and access to resources aimed at helping them achieve their dreams of pursuing higher education abroad. Stay tuned for updates on how to apply and the criteria for admissions.
