Flor Zambrano never imagined that her journey as a trial attorney in employment law would one day lead her to become a fierce advocate for homeschooling families across Latin America. For 12 years, she built a successful legal career in Venezuela representing a major frozen food company. But when she and her husband, Roberto, felt called to homeschool their firstborn, she gradually stepped away from litigation to focus on educating their son.

Then came a knock on her door.

A group of 11 homeschooling families from her church sought her legal counsel. They had withdrawn their children from public schools, but government authorities were pressuring them to re-enroll, arguing they were not allowed to home educate. Flor saw their struggle as an opportunity to help. Little did she know where this would lead!

In 2022, Flor and Roberto founded La Vid Homeschool, an advocacy organization dedicated to supporting homeschooling families across Latin America. They provide legal guidance and free training on how to homeschool, as well as a free, Bible-based, comprehensive curriculum from pre-K through high school.

When asked why she founded the organization, Flor explained, “Homeschooling is growing exponentially in Latin America, and so is the need for legal support.”

Not a single case lost

When Flor took on that first case, she knew she needed to master Venezuela’s education laws. She discovered that while homeschooling isn’t explicitly permitted by law, families could defend their right to educate at home by demonstrating that they were upholding their children’s fundamental right to education—a right protected by Venezuela’s constitution and the international agreements the country adheres to.

She advised the families she was helping to compile educational portfolios, including detailed records of lesson plans, coursework, and evaluations, to demonstrate they were fulfilling their children's right to education. With this evidence, school officials backed off.

That success was just the beginning. Since then, La Vid Homeschool has advised families in 15 countries, including Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and more.

“We’ve never lost a case,” Flor said.

But her mission extends beyond legal battles. Homeschooling parents often struggle to find local advocates, so La Vid Homeschool also provides training to attorneys across Latin America, equipping them to defend families in their communities. So far, they’ve trained 20 lawyers across the region.

“Flor is at the ground level of homeschool freedom and advocacy across Latin America,” Kevin Boden, staff attorney and director of HSLDA International, said. “It is an honor for me and HSLDA to partner with people like her––I am super excited for the work she is doing and supporting her in any way that we can.” Boden is constantly connecting with homeschool leaders across the world to understand the needs of homeschooling communities in different countries and provide help as needed.

Homeschooling as a haven in Venezuela

For Flor, defending homeschooling is more than a legal fight—it’s a deeply personal conviction. Why? She has witnessed the hope homeschooling provides her family amidst her country's political and economic turmoil. “Even in politically hostile environments, families still want to homeschool and they need all the help they can get,” she said.   

“Unfortunately, the academic level of public education is also not promising,” she continued. “Homeschooling offers an opportunity to create precious memories and provide a quality education to children who don't find this outside their homes."

For many others in Venezuela, homeschooling provides a haven where families are free to provide their children not only a quality and personalized education but also a safe and happy childhood. They can also teach their children to think freely.

“Homeschooling brings us hope,” she said.

Beyond legal support

Flor and Roberto then went a step further, creating an entire free homeschooling curriculum to help parents educate their children at home. They gathered experts, including Flor’s father, a literature professor, to help create free curriculum made up of 51 biblical-based guides for students from pre-K to 11th grade.

"We started this project with faith," Flor said. "We didn’t want to sell the curriculum, because we believe this is a calling from God."

Since 2022, more than 4,500 families across Latin America have used La Vid Homeschool’s curriculum, as well as the free training for parents. In Venezuela alone, over 1,000 families have benefited from it.

A small homeschooling community in Caracas, composed of several families, recently told Flor they couldn’t have homeschooled without the work of La Vid Homeschool. "Hearing that reaffirms our mission," Flor said.

In a region where families often face oppressive systems and uncertain futures, homeschooling is becoming a beacon of hope. And with La Vid Homeschool, Flor Zambrano and her team are helping light the way.