Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity

18/09/2024

17/09/2024

CHAVEZ CLUB


CC
Email Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

17th September, 2024

Freetown, Sierra Leone. West Africa

HCIF-PFS CELEBRATES 17 YEARS OF YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM

September is a special month for the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS). The Chavez Club (CC) is proud to join other Specialised Departments to celebrate 17th anniversary of the founding and formal inauguration of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity.

This month is celebrated each year on 8th September, and this year the Chavez Club reaffirms its unwavering commitment to provide a platform to discuss youth issues and concerns related to their development, self-reliance, economic productivity and social responsibility to their families, communities and nations. The Chavez Club provides also a platform, where young people in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to air their views and initiatives on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

On this occasion, volunteers of the Chavez Club recall with gratitude the initiative of the pioneers of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, who had not only created a platform to honour one of the greatest leaders of the 21st century, but had a vision to preserve his legacy, even after death. The International Executive Director, the Strategic Administrative Council, all Specialised Departments and tested volunteers have earned for the Foundation an enviable position.

This year’s celebration is a very significant milestone for the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity. It has also a very special meaning for the youths of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Agenda 2030 of the United Nations states, “The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today's younger generation who will pass the torch to future generations.” When the Chavez Club was created in 2016, the aim back then was to provide young people with more opportunities to facilitate and nurture their well-meaning efforts. We believe young people have much to contribute towards transforming our societies and help shape the international community we want for the future.

The Chavez Club believes that young people would have the idealism, the energy, and the passion to act as change agents, and even to make our countries safer. Our young people would step up if given the opportunity to make their contribution in fighting the scourge of crime and violence, which are threat to life, growth and liberty. The Chavez Club reiterates its commitment to facilitate and nurture the creative energies of our young people to secure a viable future and to ensure fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

It is no more news that the world around us is fast changing more than ever before. Prior to the disintegration of the former Soviet Union and collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1990, we have Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions that were relatively peaceful, and world that was relatively peaceful. But today, we live in a new cold war era, an era of new conflicts and regime change miasma, where might is right; where young people are being used as perpetrators of violence; where the media has become a tool of deception and repression; where we see also the rise of rivalry between major powers and a splintering of the world.

Again, we are witnessing the escalating and irresolvable threat of poverty, climate change, proxy criminal wars and policy of collective punishment, consuming whole peoples, whole nations and whole regions. The 1% of the world’s population continues to accumulate unimaginable amounts of wealth while the global 99% continue to live a life of increasing misery. Massive lay-offs, high unemployment, deteriorating social services on one hand and endless wars for profit on the other.

The results have been that the conditions of young people in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to worsen. One in every ten youth is unemployed. While tuition fees are increasing at the mercy and tears of the poor, and coupled by a cut down spending on social services. Migrant youth continues to die in the Mediterranean as they attempt to escape the horrible condition back home, in search of greener pastures. It comes to say clear that the future of our youth is bleak and this cannot continue-a solution is needed to remove the current stress faced by our young people.

As we celebrate this year’s anniversary of the founding of our great Foundation, we are appealing to governments, non-State actors and the private sector to work on programmes that would expand opportunities for involving youth in the food systems. Beyond being recipients and targets of new ideas, youth should be provided with safe space to formulate innovative solutions in the food sector. Governments, Leaders and other stakeholders in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean can lead the campaign to involve our youths in activities that would ensure the full implementation of food and agriculture-related policies. And especially, Governments should put in enough measures to protect our youths and their intellectual property.

The Chavez Club encourages Governments to take concrete steps towards promoting gender equality and freedom among our youths. And, support any innovative ideas that allow our youths to have a better understanding of the different cultures, through the exchange of volunteer practices and ideas and building of friendships with peers in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In solidarity, we build a world where our young people are respected and heard!

Sender:

Ambassador Mohamed K. Kamara
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Chavez Club (CC)

For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)

16/09/2024

Chavez Farmers’ For Action (CFA) advocates a system wherein young people in our rural communities are sensitized, mobilized and provided with what they need and necessary to actively participate in agricultural and farming activities, and encourage them to remain in the sector.
On this occasion of 17th anniversary of the founding of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity calls on governments and development agencies across the world to put the highest political priority on boasting agriculture to address the challenges of low food production, rural communities’ transformation, unemployment and wellbeing of farmers, who produce the food that is consumed in our different countries.
Seventeen years of inception of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity may not sound like a long time. But for some who were there in 2007, when the Foundation was established, 17 years is an important milestone. It shows that we made the right decision in bringing different people together under one umbrella.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) is a worldwide non-governmental organisation (NGO) in nature that is committed to the principle of been not-for-profit, non-self-serving, non-union, not-community-based, non-partisan in politics, independent, self-governing, peaceful, non-violent, non-religious, non-racist, non-ethnic, non-denomination, voluntary, charity, humanitarian and development-oriented organization. Its' primary goal is to preserve the legacy of Hugo Chavez (Blessed memory), the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The objective is to effect a substantial and sustainable improvement in the quality of life and help the poorest of the poor, by thinking and acting beyond artificial boundaries.
The Chavez Farmers for Action pledges to support African farmers in any possible ways and spread awareness on the significance of farming among the youth. After all, the people of Africa need policy and guarantee that food is available to meet the demands for food consumption.

In solidarity with young farmers in Africa and the African diasporas!
Sender:
Ambassador Brima Kargbo
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Chavez Farmers’ for Action (CFA)
For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)

14/09/2024

GABRIELLA CHAVEZ WOMEN FOR BETTER LIFE

GHAWBEL
Email Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

14th September, 2024

Freetown, Sierra Leone. West Africa

AT SEVENTEEN-HCIF-PFS REDEDICATE ITSELF
TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS
September 2024 is a commemorative month for the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS). It has been seventeen years since the Foundation was established in 2007, and eight years since the Foundation created the Gabriella Chavez Women for Better Life (GHAWBEL), to champion the advocacy for the rights of women.
On 18th December, 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. In so doing, the Convention outlines “that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity.”
GHAWBEL sees the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as the most important international treaty that holds governments accountable to their obligations to advance the rights of women at national level. As we mark our 17th anniversary, we are reminded that, as political and community leaders, decision-makers, influencers, human rights defenders and visionaries, women play pivotal roles in community cohesion, conflict prevention, peace building and sustainable development.
Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation, say for instance, in the decision-making process is essential to transforming communities. This celebration of our founding anniversary urges us to pay tribute to all women worldwide who contribute so much to the well-being of their families, communities and nations.
GHAWBEL believes that, across the world today, women are the weavers of the fabric of society, and, but that, more need to be done to realize their full potentials in shaping communities. No one disputes the fact that today, we have more girls going school, more women participating in the decision-making process and more women benefitting from paid employment. Despite these achievements, the road to true equality is still rugged and far from reaching its final destination.
As long as women continue to suffer sexual and gender-based violence, as a matter of urgency, we have to work towards creating peaceful, prosperous and stable communities. As we urge our male counterparts to invest on actions that help reduce the impact of insecurity and violence against women. We have to fight against impunity for widespread violence against women and girls.

As long as today women have become the bread winners in the family, we have to champion policies that empower women, to boast their businesses and development activities. This includes providing women with soft loans to grow their businesses and make meaningful contribution to sustainable community development.

And as long as women are isolated in governance, we have to mobilize for real change to end unequal treatment, discrimination and stigmatization, and replace outdated policies and prejudice, with good laws, the rule of law, justice, dignity and conducive environment. Advocacy for gender equality is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
Seventeen years on, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity’s vision for emancipation of women remains the same. Our vision for emancipation of women is grounded on the belief that when the safety and well-being of women are protected, a country will be in a much better state for everyone. The Gabriella Chavez Women for Better Life is a specialized department of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, which serves as a platform to highlight the achievements of women and discuss continuing and emerging women’s empowerment and gender equality issues, concerns, challenges, and commitments.
GHAWBEL maintains that women’s rights are human rights; that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that all persons are entitled to live free of discrimination. There is no substitute to the pivotal role women play in shaping our communities and driving change. GHAWBEL is committed to helping wipe-off the tears of women and supporting those women who aspire to lead and make a difference in their communities.

GHAWBEL’s mission has been its commitment towards empowering women with the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to launch and scale successful businesses in their communities. GHAWBEL remains fully committed to working with partners to advance women’s empowerment, gender equality, human rights and initiate programmes that will improve women’s access to education, advances economic parity, and overcomes challenges to gender equality.

By empowering women, GHAWBEL is committed to uplift women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the tools and resources needed to successfully expand their businesses. We will support women empowerment initiatives, and lay focus on strategies that help to create and expand women-led businesses. Our women empowerment goal therefore, is to create greater economic growth and social progress in our societies.
As was stated in previous public statements and press releases, the creation of the Foundation’s spacialised departthe Gabriella Chavez Women for Better Life should not be misconstrued as a cause of celebration and reflection only by women, but our male counterparts too, for the following reasons: First, gender norms and standards are no longer fixed, since we are all intertwined in each other lives; and secondly, developing women means developing society as a whole.
GHAWBEL promotes the cherished principles of gender equality. By so doing, we promote and create respect, protection and fulfilment of equal rights for women; working towards the elimination of discrimination against women, and bringing about equality between women and men.

At present, GHAWBEL is involved in public education programme, whose goal is to create awareness of the violence that is being unleashed against women and, as well as the rights of women. GHAWBEL supports legal reforms against policies and laws that treat women inferior to their male counterparts.

Future advocacy programmes of GHAWBEL would focus on mobilizing donors and partners to provide support for women in need, including battered women and their children, widows, single and pregnant women, abused migrant women and trafficked women at camps hosting refugees. Other intervention areas would be, to offer face-to-face counseling, telephone counseling and legal advice to women in need of support. While our proposed Child Care Center would cater for the welfare of
children of domestic violence survivors, and provide them with a safe environment, including a space, a safe home, education, clothes, food and a good support system to help them start their healing process away from violent acts.

This is the message of GHAWBEL on the 17th anniversary of the founding of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS).

In solidarity with women!

Sender:

Ambassador Aminata Bangura
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Gabriella Chavez Women for Better Life (GHAWBEL)
For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)

13/09/2024

CHE GUEVARA AFRICAN MEDICAL BRIGADE



CHEGAMB

Email Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

13th September, 2024

IN UNITY WE CELEBRATE AN AMAZING SEVENTEEN

The Che Guevara African Medical Brigade (CHEGAMB) respectfully greets all volunteers of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) and wish them all happiness and success. Particularly, CHEGAMB wishes all volunteers of the Foundation good health and peace to achieve dreams for individuals, families and especially for the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity.

Taking a walk down memory lane to reminisce over a significant past event, obviously, the date 8th September, 2007 is one of the most memorable dates in the history of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity. It was the day that the idea for establishing this great Foundation was conceived.

This year therefore, marks another very special year for the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, as it celebrates its 17th anniversary since its formation in 2007. For the past 17 years, the Foundation has made impressive milestones and commitment to preserve the legacy of the late Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. The Foundation’s achievements include the formation of the Che Guevara African Medical Brigade or CHEGAMB in short, a step that has boasted the image of the Foundation.
CHEGAMB came into being eight years ago, and since then the department has been organising various medical meetings and awareness programmes. It stands to honour the fundamental right to adequate healthcare for all persons of all ages without discrimination based on colour, gender, nationality or other unacceptable considerations. CHEGAMB believes that the health of every citizen of a country has to be given the highest priority in public policy-making. It is befitting that while we celebrate, we take also time to pay tribute to the founders of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity.
At the height of this occasion of 17th anniversary of the Foundation, is the people and CHEGAMB is a tremendous honour to the rich legacy of Ernesto Che Guevara. Without doubt, today, CHEGAMB continues to build from strength to strength, locally, regionally and internationally. This initiative underscores the commitment of the Foundation to make invaluable contribution to humanity. So, occasion such as this provides a great platform to celebrate also the real life of Che Guevara.
On this occasion, CHEGAMB wants to appeal to the Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone and through her good office to the competent authorities in Havana, to consider in the not too long future the establishment of a Cuban medical center in Sierra Leone. Besides, we want also to ask the Cuban Ambassador to provide advance training to volunteers at CHEGAMB. These requests we are confident will receive the favourable considerations they deserve.
Medicies cure diseases, but doctors cure patients, to borrow the words of renowned psychologist Carl Jung. By providing training to our medical team of volunteers, this will go a long way to help raise public awareness on medical issues affecting people. It could also help to encourage our volunteers and other members of the medical profession outside the Foundation, to take an active role in health promotion and education. Patients have great trust and faith in their doctors, and are easily motivated to translate their knowledge on healthy living into action, when their own doctors offer such advice in a face-to-face chit chat.
On this occasion of 17th anniversary of the founding of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, CHEGAMB wants to renew its commitment to continue to forge closer ties with other medical groups in and outside Africa; share it experience as well as learn from the experiences of others. CHEGAMB would also try to do everything to strengthen its frontline role as a peaceful and active advocate and organiser of continuing medical education, and to help the profession to better serve people in need.
On this occasion, CHEGAMB calls on all volunteers of the Foundation to not only strengthen our unity, but also to give a huge round of applause to that unity and efforts. Unity has the power to fight back every hurdle on our way. After all, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) is the Organisation we have nourished together like a baby. CHEGAMB encourages the Foundation to assume a greater role in the healthcare sector.
Wish all volunteers of the Foundation the very best for the challenges and tasks ahead, and let us always remember, that: ‘together we can make anything happen’.
Happy 17th anniversary.
In solidarity, to save lives!

Sender:

Ambassador Dr. Joseph D. Kallon
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Che Guevara African Medical Brigade (CHEGAMB)

For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)

12/09/2024

FIDEL CASTRO HOME FOR ELDERS



FICHOE

Email Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

12th September, 2024

Freetown, Sierra Leone. West Africa

This year, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) celebrates seventeen years since it was created in September 2007. On this auspicious occasion therefore, the Fidel Castro Home for Elders (FICHOE) salutes all volunteers, supporters and sympathisers of the Foundation, in and outside Africa.

As the name appears, FICHOE is named after the revolutionary leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro, who died in 2016 at the age of 90. In an occasion like this, it is only natural that the Fidel Castro Home for Elders pays tribute to the elderly all over the world. We pay tribute also to countries around the globe that have enacted laws that promote active ageing, through lifelong education and training, and enable older persons to enjoy happy lives with opportunities for individual development and self-fulfillment. We pledge on this occasion of 17th anniversary of the founding of FICHOE, to advocate to ensure that the aged population feel part of the community they live.

In our view, elderly persons have the right to live in security, free from fear. Elderly persons should be encouraged to participate in the widest possible range of activities, including employment and community volunteer work. We advocate also, policies that are at variance with discrimination in the workplace, and able to address the ageist attitudes of some employers who deny protection benefits, including adequate pension schemes to older staff. We encourage governments around the world to outlaw discrimination against elderly persons on grounds of gender, creed, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status.

As has always been the case, when there is war, famine or scarcity of food and land, it is the elderly population that suffers most. Every day we watch on world television networks and satellite wires the images of such elderly persons in various conflict zones around the world. We have seen the cruelty that human beings can inflict on each other, and today, our aged people, especially women, are increasingly at risk of violence, including sexual violence, and other horrible human rights abuses.

Human rights apply everywhere and to all human beings by virtue of their humanity. Like everyone else, older persons have the right to live in dignity, free from fear and free from want. Human rights can be, and are, a powerful tool for mobilization and empowerment. Core rights such as the right to life, liberty and physical integrity, and civic freedoms such as freedom of thought, opinion and expression; religious belief and practice are important to persons of all ages.

FICHOE believes there are other rights, which include the right to participate in public affairs and to vote in free and fair elections. We advocate economic, social and cultural rights that guarantee the right of elderly people, to health, and to an adequate standard of living, including food and housing. The right to redress for victims of human rights abuses, punishment for perpetrators, and access to courts and other procedures should not be denied to elderly persons. This area of law is particularly important to address cases of elderly abuse, which are of growing concern. We see also the scourge of poverty threatening the well-being of our elderly people, especially women.

It is also very important for the voices of older persons to be heard. By this, we encourage dialogue that leads to social cohesion and solidarity with elders in the community. For individual families and communities, this means giving older persons an option of living and working in their own society for as long as they are able and wish to do so. For governments, this means ensuring that older persons participate actively in the formulation and implementation of policies that directly affect their lives. Overall, there is a need to dispel stereotypes and negative attitudes about elderly persons and replace them with positive images of ageing.

FICHOE is a Specialised Department of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, which advocate human rights and freedoms of elderly people everywhere. Our core values include support for the human rights and freedoms of older persons; ensure the full participation of elderly persons in society; and ensure guarantee that the elderly benefit from care and protection.

We encourage all concerned actors, governments, local communities, national and international instruments, and the United Nations system to intensify efforts to formulate and implement human rights based policies and programmes that address the challenges of the world’s aged population.

On this auspicious occasion, therefore, we acknowledge the many positive contributions older persons have made and can make in society. We look at population ageing as a cause for celebration, not a problem, as a blessing, not a burden. Together, we must take action guided by the vision of a society for all ages.

Fidel Lives!

Sender:

Ambassador Brima Kamara
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Fidel Castro Home for Elders (FICHOE)

For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)

11/09/2024

CARIBBEAN-LATINO-AFRICAN COMPANY LIMITED



CALAFRIC

Email Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

11th September, 2024

Freetown, Sierra Leone. West Africa

CALFRIC JOINS OTHER SPECIALISED DEPARTMENTS TO CELEBRATE 17TH ANNIVERSARY

The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) celebrates its 17th Anniversary this year with the theme: “Respect The Will And Aspirations Of The People!” At this age, and with the Caribbean-Latino-African Company (CALAFRIC), the Foundation is committed to embark upon sustainable business practices for building a better future environment. On this historic occasion therefore, CALAFRIC joins other Specialised Departments to celebrate 17th anniversary of the founding of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity.

Over the course of seventeen years, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity still faces numerous challenges. The idea of creating CALAFRIC is to compliment donor efforts, as well as to stand as pillar in the case where there is donor fatigue. Since its inception in 2016, CALAFRIC has been working relentless, to operate and maintain sustainable business operations that reflect the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders and the hard work of the volunteers in the Foundation.

Today, CALAFRIC remains unwavering in its dedication to help create the rightful environment for sustaining the Foundation. CALAFRIC’s vision is to become the bank for the Foundation; while its mission is to become the Foundation’s business conglomerate. The immediate objective of CALAFRIC is to focus on realistic investment sectors that would help the Foundation achieve stated goals.

Amidst a rapidly changing global landscape, CALAFRIC is dedicated to ensure that the Foundation makes significant contributions to society through a programme of Sustainability Aspiration. This commitment is the Foundation’s pledge to help the needy and improve the lives of people, without any artificial barriers based on colour, nationality, religion, tribe or race. CALAFRIC is committed also on investing in a sustainable and resilient business fashion that would have positive impact on the environment, climate, business, and society.

CALAFRIC’s sustainability aspiration focuses on business initiatives, including trawl and commercial fishing, mining, construction, manufacturing, import and traditional export businesses, sustainable farming, etc. So, the task ahead of CALAFRIC is to paint a picture of which business area should be given priority at least for a beginning.

To achieve this, CALAFRIC will operate a system under core human values, such as trust, integrity and team work. CALAFRIC is one of the Specialised Departments of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, and as such, pledges to offer volunteers of the Foundation with better business, flexible work culture and perfect learning atmosphere.

In solidarity for a peaceful and sustainable working environment!

Sender:

Ambassador HASSAN BANGURA
Senior Programme Coordinator
The Caribbean-Latino-African Company
(CALAFRIC)

For: The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)