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Venezuela Empowers Afro-Venezuelan Youth Through Nationwide Tech and Robotics Initiative
Venezuela is investing in its future by equipping Afro-Venezuelan children and young adults with critical skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through a network of community-based robotics centers. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and foster a sense of cultural pride alongside technological competence.
The cornerstone of this effort is the Cimarrón Guillermo Rivas Mega Robotics Center, opened last year in the predominantly Black San José de Barlovento region. This center serves as a vital community hub, offering training in not only robotics but also a diverse range of skills including basic electronics, 3D printing, office automation, and the use of social media for education.
“Our programs go beyond robotics,” explained the center’s coordinator, Adriany Guaramato. “We also teach basic electronics, 3D printing, office automation, social media for education, and other ICT (details and communication technologies) skills. These initiatives are designed to improve digital literacy and technological abilities among local youth.”
Since its launch in July 2024, the Rivas Center has already engaged over 870 young people, the majority between the ages of 7 and 18. The center’s curriculum is intentionally broad, reflecting a commitment to holistic development. Notably, 426 young women and 445 young men have participated in the programs to date, signaling a focus on gender inclusivity.
The center’s name itself carries significant weight, honoring Guillermo Rivas, an Afro-Venezuelan who achieved freedom from slavery in the 1700s and founded the Ocoyta Summita maroon society in the Barlovento area. This historical connection underscores the center’s mission to inspire youth of African descent by celebrating a legacy of resistance and cultural identity.
Venezuela boasts one of the largest populations of people of African descent in South America, second only to Brazil and Colombia. According to a 2011 national census, approximately 51% of the Venezuelan population identifies as Afro-Venezuelan, with around 30% of the nation under the age of 15. This demographic reality underscores the importance of targeted programs like the Rivas Center.
The government’s ambition extends far beyond Barlovento. Around 900 educational robotics hubs have already been established nationwide, with a goal of reaching 3,000 as part of the National Scientific Seedbeds Program. This broader initiative seeks to promote early engagement in science, innovation, engineering, and technology – areas deemed crucial for national development.
guaramato emphasized that the center’s impact extends beyond technical skill-building. “The center’s work not only develops technical abilities but also reinforces cultural identity and pride among Afro-Venezuelan youth,” she stated. “Special efforts are directed toward empowering girls and women of African descent and addressing gender gaps in STEM fields.” She believes these initiatives cultivate confidence, self-determination, and a sense of ownership over their technological and cultural futures for the children of Barlovento.
The establishment of these technology hubs represents a commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that afro-Venezuelan youth are not marginalized in the country’s technological advancement. By intertwining cultural identity with
