About Carila Latin American Welfare Group

Twenty years ago two British campaigners for Latin America solidarity set up a bookshop. The idea was for it to become a Latin American Resource Centre and in 1980 it became a collective made up of the Latin American Human Rights and Solidarity groups. This was the origin of the name Carila - Campaign Against Repression in Latin America. In 1983, in response to the needs of the Latin America Community in London, Carila set up, a small group advice service and interpreting / advocacy project. In 1985, with two years experience of giving advice and providing an interpreting service to the Latin American Community, Carila Latin American Welfare Group was formally established. This is the origin of the present day Carila.

Carila's Mission
Carila exists because of a belief that Latin American Community has the right to equal access in housing, welfare benefits, health, education and legal representation. Carila believes that to ensure access, the community needs accurate advice and information and high-quality case work and interpreting/advocacy free of charge. We aim to provide these services in all of our work and to constantly review them in response to the community changing needs.