Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose “chelin” Guevara
Hi jose “chelin”, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Jose “Chelin” Guevara, born in Venezuela, resident of the state of Utah for 10 years, I study sociology and civil aviation in my country, over the years I have dedicated myself to ensuring, promoting and educating for the human rights of children and girls of Latin America For more than 25 years of experience with several university projects and the “educating Country foundation” and international organizations that have been a fundamental pillar in my work, in recent years I have been working with a Non profit, where today I am its director, called “Captain Zarigueya” said organization legally established in Utah and with the purpose of creating an editorial fund that promotes education in values to migrant and refugee children in Utah, that educates in issues of human rights, democracy and humanitarian assistance Andean refugees and immigrants from Latin America, all this initiative begins from my time as a student leader at the Central University of Venezuela, where the love to defend the rights and promoting the duties of children have been my daily task
Jose “Chelin” Guevara , nacido en Venezuela , residente del estado de utah desde hace 10 anos, estudio sociología y aviación civil en mi Pais, a lo largo de los anos me he dedicado a velar , promover y educar por los derechos humanos de los niños y niñas de America Latina Por mas de 25 anos de experiencia con varios proyectos universitarios y la “fundación educando Pais” y organismo internacionales que han sido un pilar fundamental en mi trabajo , estos últimos anos he estado trabajando con una Non profit , donde hoy soy su director, llamada “Capitan Zarigueya” dicha organización establecida legalmente en Utah y con el propósito de crear un fondo editorial que promueve educación en valores a niños migrantes y refugiados en Utah, que eduque en temas de derechos humanos, democracia y asistencia humanitarias andinos refugiado e inmigrantes de America latina, toda esta iniciativa comienza desde mis épocas de dirigente estudiantil en la Universidad Central de Venezuela , donde el amor por defender los derechos y promover los deberes de los niños han sido mi tarea diaria , con este trabajo he visitado mas de 25 países promoviendo nuestro talleres , programas y proyectos.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been difficult, especially when I lived in Venezuela, as a result of my work I had to leave Venezuela in a forced way and flee for fear of my life, as a result of my work and activism in favor of children and students I received support from American cooperation agencies such as USAID, NED the World Bank, support that translates into technical advice and assistance to execute our projects in Venezuela, unfortunately in Venezuela there is no democracy and our attempt to educate our children on these issues was not well seen and was criminalized as a crime, because of that anti-American feeling that the Venezuelan dictatorship has, I had to flee my country, with my children since it was dangerous my path and that of my family, just for educating young people and children in issues of human rights and strengthening democracy, since I arrived in Utah I have dedicated myself to continuing the defense of these values and this faith of life
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a non-profit and personally I dedicate myself to human rights activism in children especially migrants and victims of persecution of violent people, in war or dictatorship.
I am proud of the various recognitions we have had from organizations, authorities of Utah and the most special affection and trust of our community
We are known for the kite festival A tricolor dream and for our books that lead to activities for our children
We write books, organize games, educate in Human Rights, Democracy humanitarian assistance to children
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When arriving in a country with different cultures, language and idiosyncracy, every being turns out to be strange, you don’t have to give up so your closest environment doesn’t understand it and put above the sadness that conviction that ignites your soul and keeps you firm in the face of adversity, America is a country where it is possible to realize your dreams, you just have to decide to fly them like kites and from there our slogan “join us to fly your dreams” is born
Contact Info:
- Website: https://capitanzarigueya.org
- Instagram: @capitanzarigueya
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capitanzarigueya
- Youtube: @capitanzarigueya
- Other: tiktok : @capitanzarigueya
