Welcome To Our Web site!

The National Center for Human Ecology (CENACEH – Centro Nacional de Ecologia Humana) is a registered Venezuelan non-profit organization founded in 1995. Since its inception, it has been promoting nature conservation, educational and health related projects with children of the Indigenous Communities of the Venezuelan Highlands.

Our small but dedicated organization carries out cultural programs ranging from health to education, and bio-cultural restoration special emphasis on the welfare of children.

Most importantly, our programs are not imposed on our neighboring culture. They are developed jointly, side-by-side with indigenous members of the local community in response to their most immediate requirements.

This Web site describes the nature of our work to inform and invite you - our friend -to help make this multi-dimensional and multi-cultural vision a reality.

Our mission

Our mission is to assist the indigenous children and young people by empowering them to uphold their traditional values, teaching them new skills that will help them integrate into the modern world and to find ways to integrate traditional values into the modern world. Together with members of our community, we search for ways that are sustainable, effective, and that protect the rich, yet fragile biological and cultural heritage of the Guyana Highlands (Being considered by UNESCO as a possible world heritage site).

We Need Your Help - here's how

The support of our friends, and colleagues is vital to the ongoing success of our programs. Mounting social, economical and cultural pressures make it imperative that we work quickly to develop new alternatives and opportunities for the children of this splendid land while maintaining their rich cultural legacy. Some of the most devastating changes brought about by illegal immigrant miners, a corrupt and heavy handed military force, and an openly racist modern culture weigh heavily on the pacific and sedentary lifestyle that the Taurepam people are accustomed to. This 'clash of cultures' might be a factor explaining widespread use of alcohol - to the neglect of their children's nutrition, health and education.

Though we understand the challenges, we disapprove of the excessive drinking, so our efforts are dedicated to help the children who could otherwise not help themselves. This is why we need your help!

For over ten years, we've been able to support these programs on our own. Now we are called upon to redouble our efforts, and offer this opportunity for many more people to become involved in this worthy cause.

We invite you to slow down and take a moment to read our 'PROGRAMS' page to understand our work. The 'ABOUT US' page includes background information on the organization, it's members, and a gallery of images.

If our work inspires you to help, visit 'SUPPORT US" for specific ways on how you can take part in our efforts. Hint: it's not all financial

We effectively use every asset to it’s maximum. Every penny we receive goes directly into our efforts in the field – where it makes a difference. We don't own offices in the big cities and visit our field projects once every three months. We live in the heart of the Guyana Highlands, this is our home, and the children under our care are our neighbors, their parents are our friends.

Our expenses include a basic living stippend, broadband internet access via satellite, transportation and maintenance of our off-road vehicles (the only ambulance in our remote village) - this insures that the funds go directly into maintaining our programs.

In whatever way you wish to help, we do look forward to hearing from you!

We appreciate your comments and feedback about the site, and express our deep gratitude for taking the time to visit us online.

Hopefully, learning about our programs and activities, you are moved to join our efforts and visit us in the near future.

With warmest regards,

Bettina Giller - President bettina@cenaceh.org	Federico Giller - Executive Director federico@cenaceh.org