Following a disputed election result which returned the incumbent president Nicolas Maduro to power, Venezuela has been gripped by protests, counter-protests, and a government crackdown.
While opposition parties and politicians have sought to bring people out onto the streets of the country to protest against the legitimacy of July’s election, Maduro’s government has adopted increasingly more authoritarian measures to stifle descent.
This has included the use of tear gas to disperse protests and “Operation Tun Tun” in which government officials have gone house-to-house arresting those suspected of siding with the operation. These individuals have largely been disappeared.
These events have created a cauldron of anxiety, fear, and mistrust. That is why, seeking to offer her fellow Venezuelans hope and respite, Alejandra has started to run Compassion Circles.
For anyone not familiar with a Compassion Circle, these were developed by the GCC – drawing on other similar initiatives, including Prof Tania Singer’s dyads – as a way for communities to come together, cultivate compassion, and experience support, recognition, and empathy from others. The content of a Circle – especially the emphasis on self-reflection, sharing, and empathic listening – are deliberately designed to help foster connection, mutual understanding, and a sense of being seen, heard, and valued.
In a climate such as Venezuela’s, this experiences are needed now more than ever and so it was a sense of immense inspiration and thankfulness that we learned of Alejandra’s intent to organize her own Circles.
Her first took place last weekend with individuals drawn from across Venezuela. Alejandra reflected that while initially members were reticent about sharing or vocalizing – a symptom of the fear that has spread across the country – they increasingly opened up until the (online) room felt warm and highly supportive. Issues of politics and political worries did surface but Alejandra always brought these back to the fundamental focus of a Circle – our human emotions and common experiences.
Alejandra will be continuing to offer Circles in Venezuela to all those feeling the need for solace and support. If you would be interested in running one yourself, please register for our online training here.