“We never stop”

September 2020. I have been working for UNICEF Venezuela as a driver for a year now. My day starts very early with checking and cleaning the official vehicle to ensure it is ready and able to make the necessary journeys to contribute to UNICEF’s response on the ground.  

I can’t say that every day is the same. My routes and my tasks are varied. Sometimes, I have to take the Representative to their field visits or to meetings with partners, at other times I provide support to colleagues in the office by delivering supplies to health centres, and educational kits or food throughout the country.  

Since the pandemic started, my routine has changed. I have had to adopt biosecurity measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing when carrying out my duties. We must also be more rigorous with constant cleaning of the vehicle, among other measures, to avoid catching COVID-19. We never stop. I've always been active, driving since the first day of lockdown. 

During the pandemic, the most difficult thing for me has been having to be away from home and not seeing my family for long periods of time. I live on the outskirts of Caracas, and in order to be able to carry out my duties without delays or restrictions from road closures due to the quarantine, I have had to temporarily move to the capital city. I have also been assigned to tasks and field trips in the states of Zulia, Táchira, Bolívar, Falcón, Carabobo, and Mérida. Each of these trips involves several hours of driving and being away from home for at least two weeks. 

I am hugely committed to this role and this work. It's a pleasure to work with an organization like UNICEF because I really see that the money from donors is getting to the people who need it most: to the children and young people who need it most. I always wanted to be part of this team because help really does reach the most vulnerable families. When I arrive in any of the communities with some of the supplies that UNICEF delivers and I feel the love from the people, I feel that it’s all worthwhile. It’s a priceless feeling. It’s a commitment that I hold close to my heart. 

As part of my duties, I have also taken on promoting children’s rights and explaining what our mission is as a humanitarian organization in every corner of Venezuela that I visit with the vehicle. I think the big difference with UNICEF’s work in the country is that it is reaching places other organizations have not been able, to meet the needs of children.