Editorial

“Painting the peasant character in action: this is, I repeat, what is essentially modern… The character of the peasant and the worker began to be painted as a “genre”; but today, with Millet as its eternal teacher, it is at the very heart of modern art… and will remain so.” (V. Van Gogh, Letter to his brother Theo, July 1885).
 
François Millet devoted much of his life to “painting the work”, especially that of country life. His works of art, with great drama and beauty, express the fatigue of the work of peasants and mothers. So much so that many artists, such as Van Gogh, considered him a master and were inspired by his artistic expressions adding his personal style.
 
Nowadays we look for themes in expressions such as music, painting, or photography to help us “distract ourselves”, “relax” or “disconnect” from exhausting workdays that we often live, without asking ourselves what meaning they have. However, let us think of the beauty that arises from experiencing work as a harmonious relationship between the person and reality.
 
It is not necessary to go back to distant times and other latitudes, to appreciate and value the Venezuelan work songs, which poetically arise from the relationship between those who work, such as the piloneras or the laundresses in the river, milking or herding cattle, the cocoa or coffee harvest festivals, or even the songs of food sales in the passenger terminals or in the market sale. There is a popular awareness of the value of work that refuses to disappear and is still expressed culturally in our recent history.
 
For this reason, Trabajo y Persona seeks to rescue and promote these cultural expressions. Not only through the “Music and Work” program, but now also with photography, to capture that harmonious interaction between the human being and reality. That is why, on the occasion of May 1, the international labor day, the “Photography and Work” contest began with the theme “from the origin to the flavors”, with the goal of documenting stories and images associated with the work of the entire food production process, from sowing and harvesting, hunting or fishing, through its transformation, until it reaches the plate of each Venezuelan.
 
Although in another type of photography, what Robert Capa expressed at the time is still valid as a criterion: “It is not necessary to resort to tricks to take photos. You don’t have to pose anyone for the camera. The photos are there, waiting for you to take them. The truth is the best photography”.

Alejandro Marius
Last practical class of Caregivers360

On April 2, the last practical class of the current cohort of Caregivers360 was held under the alliance of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Provincial House of the Salesian Sisters Don Bosco in Altamira. The training was given by Dr. Jazmín Sambrano, who detailed the cognitive and psychological aspects of older adults.

“La Jornada” event merged music, gastronomy and testimonies in favor of work

On April 6, the “Jornada” event was held at Chapeau House, thanks to distinguished allies such as: Casa Franceschi, Fundación San José, Ford Motor de Venezuela, Fundación Santa Teresa, The Delegation of the European Union in Venezuela, Desk Jurídico Antequera Parilli & Rodríguez, Bigott Foundation, Clas Producciones, Espacio Suizo Foundation, Arepa Music, InverCapital, KPMG Venezuela, Barento Café, Productos Narú, Tequeños Las Tías and Ananké. As well as those who have accompanied the educational work of the graduates such as: Fedeuropa, the Venezuelan Catholic Church, Cáritas, religious congregations in Caracas, Carúpano, El Tocuyo, Mérida and Valencia, the Venezuelan-Italian Chamber of Commerce (CAVENIT), and the French-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIAVF). 
It was an experience where music, gastronomy, and graduates’ testimonies came together thanks to the common thread of work. These elements were coupled in a tour that represented seven moments within a great workday, from dawn to dusk. Songs of Venezuelan works were performed live by great musicians such as Betsayda Machado, Andrea Paola, Belkys Figuera, José Alejandro Delgado, Jorge Torres, Martín Figueroa, Jorge Villarroel and the direction of Maestro Aquiles Báez. In the evening, directed by Diana Hernández and Alejandro Marius, attendees were able to see photographs of trades and natural settings in Venezuela and taste a menu prepared by entrepreneurs trained by TyP in various regions of the country, who shared their stories and experiences.

Bee Care Caregiver Webinars

On April 7 and 28, the webinars “Caring for the elderly, current situation in Switzerland and other parts of the world” and “Testimonies of Bee Care Caregivers” were organized in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland. Both allowed the opportunity to learn about experiences and good practices carried out in Switzerland and other parts of the world, thanks to the facilitator Luca Milesi, Home Care Manager of Bee Care S.A., and with the translation of the president of Trabajo Y Persona, Alejandro Marius. Through the Zoom platform, Caregivers360 graduates, current trainees and the general public were able to see both webinars.

Alejandro Marius was invited to the VI Venezuelan Congress Management of the Elderly

On April 30, the founder and president of Trabajo y Persona, Alejandro Marius, was invited by the “Dr. José María Vargas Foundation for Elderly Care Center” (@funda.cainte), to participate in the VI Venezuelan Management of the Elderly Congress titled “Approaches and advances in the comprehensive care of the elderly, perspectives 2022”. Through the Zoom platform, Marius presented the conference “Trabajo Y Persona Caregivers360 Training” before the medical union, Caregivers360 graduates, current trainees and the general public, sharing the experience of the social impact of said instruction.

Call for the Photography and Work contest

Beginning on May 1st, Trabajo Y Persona initiated the call to participate in the first National Photography and Work Contest, in alliance with the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), the Delegation of the European Union and Union Radio. This year’s theme is “From the origin to the flavors”, with which photographs of tasks of the entire food process will be valued, from planting, harvesting, hunting or fishing, until reaching the Venezuelan table. On June 24, the winners will be announced in the two categories of the contest. The idea is to document the stories behind each dish, from the raw materials to the Venezuelan flavors.

Emma Torrealba participated in the certification of the longest line of chocolate bars in the world in Venezuela

The Chocolate Entrepreneur, Emma Torrealba, was a special guest throughout the process of creating the longest line of chocolate bars in the world, certified by the Guinness World Records organization on April 17. Six hundred people from the town of Caripito, in the state of Monagas, participated in the arrangement of 4,289 chocolate bars that covered 854 meters in length. Emma was introduced to the guests and she talked about her journey in the world of chocolate and her achievements, as well as discovering new cocoa plantations, collection centers and cocoa farmers.

Gabriela Cerró registered her entrepreneurship Sandi Food

The graduate of the I virtual cohort of the Venezuela Tierra de Cacao project in Aragua, Gabriela Cerró, finally registered her venture with the name Sandi Food (@sandifood_ve), which already has earned a health inspection permit. Thanks to this, she managed to place her 100% natural handmade yogurts without additives or preservatives in gyms and greengrocers in Maracay, Edo. Aragua.

Gloria Rattia had a productive month with different activities

The Training of Trainers participant within the framework of the Beauty for a Future program, Gloria Rattia, received recognition as a founder in honor of the first anniversary of the Barber Shop Virgen del Rosario barbershop, where Gloria teaches classes in hairdressing, hair buns, braids and barbershop to members of the community. The day included barbering and haircutting by the students and lunch especially prepared to celebrate the event. Also, at the CEA Cacique Charaima Las Acacias, Gloria Rattia graduated courses in hairdressing and professional barbering, basic bows and braids, which lasted one year.
On April 27, Gloria and her team presented the “hat with wet petals” as well as haircut and drying at the meeting called “Sharing Knowledge” in Maracay, Edo. Aragua, where each invited art and craft institution demonstrated their achievements in live exhibitions. In addition, on April 28, she was a guest on radio station Caliente 100.3 in Maracay during an operation of free haircuts for the community as part of her social responsibility.

María Laura García participated in a bazaar on the occasion of Mother’s Day

The Gastronomic Entrepreneur, a graduate of the IV cohort of Entrepreneurship and Nutrition – Gastronomy360, María Laura García Scholtz, participated in the 2nd meeting of the IL Mercatino bazaar, organized by CAVENIT Carabobo within the framework of Mother’s Day, on Friday 29 and Saturday, April 30 at the Club Italo facilities. In this edition, the shops and new ventures of Valencian fashion were promoted (clothes, footwear, costume jewelry, accessories, makeup, and bathing suits, among others).

Aglles Valero served as a jury in a gastronomic course

The graduate of the III virtual cohort of Artisanal Chocolates, Aglles Valero, participated as a qualifying jury in the final presentation of the course on pastry, bakery and basic cooking organized by the Bárbula School of Specialties on April 29.

First face-to-face workshop for VTDC and Gastronomia360 entrepreneurs

At the facilities of Casa Santa Ana, headquarters of Cáritas Carúpano, graduates of the Entrepreneurship and Nutrition and Venezuela Tierra de Cacao (VTDC) programs received their first face-to-face workshop of 2022: Puff pastry preparation. The training was facilitated by Raquel González who shared with them her knowledge and experience. The graduates learned the techniques for the preparation of puff pastry and puff pastry products such as palmeritas, ham, cheese and sausage scones, jam croissants and jam pastries.

Mariana Valdez sponsored with her products in April

The graduate of the I cohort of the Gastronomic Entrepreneurs program, Mariana Valdez (@marianacocina), collaborated as a contest sponsor for the radio program “Filterless” broadcast by La Mega Mérida, gifting the winner with a brookie cake. Mariana also participated as a sponsor in the anniversary of the Los Angeles Institute of Special Education, where two girls celebrated their Quinces, and the graduate gave away mini cinnamon rolls.

Guinhet Márquez organized two events

The graduate of the I cohort of the Gastronomic Entrepreneurs program, Guinhet Márquez (@gastronomia.floresdelcampo), was the organizer of the anniversary week of the Los Angeles Institute of Special Education, and the Quince celebration of Kamila and Eliana, two girls with special needs. 

Raquel Dávila continues to train

The graduate of the I cohort of the Gastronomic Entrepreneurs program, Raquel Dávila (@hagamosmagiaenlacocina), continues to train and this time she is participating in the Diploma in Leadership and Values ​​”The transformation is within me”, which lasts 10 months.

Yasmira Pineda and Gabriela Sánchez catered with their business

The graduates of the I cohort of the Gastronomic Entrepreneurs program, Yasmira Pineda and Gabriela Sánchez (@empinedasfood), provided their catering service by preparing breakfast for 40 people from the Universidad de Los Andes rectorate.

Ana Carolina Sánchez continues to learn about chocolate

The graduate of the I cohort of the Diploma in Chocolate Entrepreneurship, Ana Carolina Sánchez, held the II Fine Chocolate Seminar in the town of La Azulita, Edo. Mérida, through her undertaking Emana C.A. The training was attended by men and women cocoa producers who wanted to learn the techniques to transform this item into chocolate.

Lisbeth Ramírez applies her knowledge at home

The graduate of the II cohort of the Alimenta360 program, Lisbeth Ramírez, has been sharing the knowledge obtained in the Alimenta360 classes and teaching her children to enjoy cooking.