Backgrounder
In 2001, the Foundation established the first rural kindergarten in the Barrancas-Tigre area.
History of the Foundation
The Turimiquire Foundation evolved organically out of the experiences of a small group of North Americans living in the state of Sucre in northeastern Venezuela. Our early roots are found in a tropical farm established in 1977 by Foundation President Steven Bloomstein and Board Member Robert Albert, who were roommates at Harvard College, class of 1970, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Located outside the city of Cumaná, Los Dos Pasos Juntos is a tropical organic homestead and farm situated three hours walking distance from the nearest road in a small river valley in the Turimiquire Mountains.
Over the years, we gradually integrated into our chosen rural community and were joined and supported by a growing number of North Americans and Venezuelans. We developed a series of eco-agricultural, health and educational projects in our watershed, in the state capital of Cumaná, and in the nearby farming town of Cumanacoa. In 1995, after more than 15 years of personal efforts supported by advocates and friends, we created the Turimiquire Foundation. We received our 501(C)(3) tax exemption status from the United States Internal Revenue Service in May, 1996.
In 1997, we established Fundación ServYr, the Venezuelan nonprofit foundation responsible for executing Turimiquire Foundation programs. Funds raised by the Turimiquire Foundation for our programs in Venezuela are administered through Fundación ServYr, which also seeks public and private support within Venezuela for its work.
Steven Bloomstein is president of both the Turimiquire Foundation and Fundación ServYr, and members of the Turimiquire Board who reside in Venezuela also serve on the Board of Fundación ServYr. Our North American Officers and Board Members are all volunteers, receiving no compensation for their service.
- Turimiquire Foundation: A History of Achievements
- Download as PDF
