Our History

During a visit to her native Venezuela, América Soler-Everhart saw a critical need – poor rural families couldn’t afford books for their children, and there were no public libraries, which meant that whenever a child needed a book or wanted to study after school, there was no place to go.

Driven to help, América set up a bookcase with donated books in her mother’s home, and when neighborhood children came by to read or study they would call the bookcase , “La Pequeña Biblioteca” (The Little Library). La Pequeña Biblioteca was a success, but so many children needed books that América decided to organize volunteers and in 2002 founded FUNDVEC, or Fundación Venezolana Educación y Cultura (Venezuelan Foundation for Education & Culture)...

Our Impact

	Our Vision  Impoverished rural people in Venezuela enriching their lives by reading for knowledge and enjoyment. Our Mission To provide free access to quality books for disadvantaged rural citizens in Venezuela. The Challenge Inadequate education – is a major cause for 53% of Venezuela’s rural populace living in poverty. 2 of 3 children enter school unprepared to learn or read (only 45% reach the 9th grade).   Why? Most parents do not understand the critical importance of reading to their children. Poor families lack age-appropriate books in homes and schools.

The Solution: FUNDVEC’s Rural Library Projects

Biblioteca Pública El Páramo

A free public library that provides 11 rural villages with access to over 1500 quality books, 2 computers with learning & business software, audio-visual media, reading programs and workshops.

Seeds of Knowledge Bookcase Libraries

Bookcases filled with age-appropriate books for children in preschools, kindergartens, and first-grade classrooms; teachers and parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children every day to instill basic pre-literacy skills.

How our projects are making a difference:

Testimonials

“The books are in the hands of children who have never before held a book. Each book will be read over and over again.”

Adelaide Pedrique,

teacher

Caserío Las Campechanas Rural Preschool

“When you want to teach children to think, you begin by . . . making them readers and thinkers of significant thoughts. . . .”

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

British philosopher and mathematician

“Education is truly critical to overcome poverty and create prosperity. . .”

Felipe Sáez

World Bank’s resident representative in Venezuela.

	FUNDVEC’S Board of Directors is made up of community volunteers who subscribe to the FUNDVEC’s mission statement. Board members are expected to attend annual meetings, take part in the review and funding of programs, actively engage in fundraising as appropriate, and contribute financially to the Foundation as personal means permit. Board Members América Soler-Everhart, President Lillian Trillo, Secretary Fiona Henderson, Treasurer José Alvarez-Cornett Vanessa Stetson Rodriguez José Romero VOLUNTEERS Doris Albornoz Carmen Madriz-Barnes Shirley Cooper Craig L Everhart David L. Everhart Mayra Madriz Patrick Mahoney Robert Morey Juan Carlos Ortega Graciela Pagano Edward & Barbara Portoni Giuliana Rodrigues Rubén & Marian Rodriguez Carmen Luisa Ruiz Christ (Chiquy) Mejia Matt & Nakarí Small Juana Enríquez Tang Héctor Fortuny Tepedino Laurie Weber Alex Esparza