For the last two weeks, one of Voluntario Global’s kindergarten projects has been blessed with the presence of our lovely volunteer from the UK, Ranj. Even though she was only with us for a short time, her sunny personality made a great impact on both her project and the other volunteers. The kindergarten is large, with classes split up by age groups; the youngest group being the under 2s. Even though Ranj's Spanish was limited, it was easy for her to help out in the class. After all, the children only want to play and occasionally need to be comforted. Hugs are a universal language!
Though she has done other volunteer work before, Ranj has said she was previously not a huge lover of children, but wanted to challenge herself. And what better challenge than helping the other two carers take on a room full of lively under 2s! There are generally around 15 children in the class, but due to their age they can be very demanding and so an extra pair of hands never goes amiss.
By the end of her two weeks in the kindergarten, Ranj's face lit up when talking about the children, and we even spotted her comforting one child with another in her arms... looks like her mind has been changed!
Thank you for all your help, Ranj, and good luck on your further travels.
Walking into a small green-painted room, on the third floor of a nondescript building in a barrio on the outskirts of the city of Buenos Aires, a sign on the wall reads:
"Voces organizadas crean historia"
Organised voices make history.
This is certainly true for FM Soldati, a small radio station set up and run by members of the community.
El Hormiguero is a new project where Voluntario Global is helping. An inauguration party that was held in March where members of the community and of Voluntatio Global all the celebrated the launch of such an important aspect for bringing about change and improving life in the neighbourhood.
Claudio, who helped to make the dream of the station come true, showed us around the building and explained how the organization El Hormiguero had started four years ago, with the aims of fighting for the rights of the people in the neighbourhood. For example, they wanted the government to give the streets of Villa Fatima official status and name them on the map as a way to start bringing the neighbourhood out of separated poverty and make people aware of its existence. El Hormiguero also set up other projects in Villa Fatima and the surrounding neighbourhoods such as school groups, football sessions and apprenticeship skills training.
Claudio then explained that it was not until two years ago that his friend Mathias suggested creating a radio station in the neighbourhood, to work alongside other successful stations already creating positive changes in neighbourhoods such as La Boca and Barracas.
A few years before there had been a big problem with police conduct and interference in the Villa, which eventually resulted in the government cutting off water and electricity supplies to the neighbourhood. The events were broadcast on the mass media, but the problem was distorted and the real cause of the government's action was not explained. This left the people in the neighbourhood feeling cheated, and gave reason for El Hormiguero to aim to broadcast local news to its community as it actually happened, thus bypassing the biased and unfair accounts which are spread by the mass media.
At this point, Claudio's sister, Soli, tells us that right from the beginning, people were asking How can we have a radio station in this neighbourhood? How can it be possible?
It took two years to organize the station and one year to build the location. They had to build and paint and rebuild, constantly finding problems and having to overcome them. Soli describes how one day the whole room was flooded with rain and they had to wear boots to walk around. It took a lot of time to repair the damage.
We thought we would never make it and everyone wanted to quit.
So of course, Soli explained, everyone cried when the radio station finally opened.
The station broadcasts not only specific news to the neighbourhood, but also current affairs and events going on the rest of the world. They have regular shows about music, food, and local happenings and often invite people from the community, as well as special guests and occasionally local bands to appear on the show.
Sitting in the broadcasting room, watching Soli, Claudio and other members of the group chat over mate and biscuits about their next show, with the enormous Radio Soldati antenna on the roof towering above Villa Fatima, it's easy to see why the organization was named El Hormiguero (The Anthill). Built piece by piece by people from all around the neighbourhood working together to create the seemingly impossible. Each bringing their small contributions to help create a powerful and inspiring tool to help shape a more positive future for the Villa.
You can listen to Radio Soldati 91.3FM online here.
In any new city or country one goes to, the first instinct is always to Google for things to do, places to see or even which restaurants to dine in. Before coming to Buenos Aires, I did an extensive Google research on nearly all the touristy activities I could do. From the colourful array of houses in Caminito to the beautiful city of the dead in Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires is without a doubt an exciting city waiting to be explored. But what Google doesn’t show you is, in the simplest of terms, the non-touristy aspect of Buenos Aires. Volunteering with Voluntario Global provided me that opportunity and more.
I came to Buenos Aires hoping that I could be one with the city. I wanted to see all the city had to offer. Give me a year and I still wouldn’t be able to see everything this city is made of. But in the few months that I’ve been here, I’ve grown so fond of this city that it’s now home to me. It feels like home because I don’t feel like I’m on the outskirts. Volunteering has allowed me to interact with the locals in more ways than one.
Picture yourself getting on a Ferrovia train, a train with no doors, a train that makes your heart skip a beat each time it gets on an overhead bridge or even when it goes through a tunnel. Picture yourself taking that train for almost an hour to get to a shanty town on the outskirts of the city, occupying your time with a book while trying to ignore the loud voices of the man trying to sell you biscuits, chewing gum, highlighters or even a portable sewing kit. You get to the shanty town and it is pretty much everything you pictured it to be. Stray dogs lazing on the streets, men pulling carts in the middle of roads, rows of single story houses with children playing on the streets. What I didn’t expect were the cheery voices of people in these homes, singing as they worked the stove, the welcoming environment they provided to just about anyone who walked through their doors.
I instantly felt comfortable despite being completely out of my element. Toddlers, being the joyful innocent little beings they are will come up to you and look at you with bemused expressions and wonder off only to return with a toy for you to play with. The women entertaining these children give you a kiss on the cheek along with a warm hug and invite you in. It made me feel right at home. Each time I was given the task of visiting a kindergarten, an orphanage or even a soup kitchen, I couldn’t wait for the chance to interact with the locals. I would never have been able to gain such an experience had I not been a part of Voluntario Global.
Even after a long day of work, it is always a joy coming back to the Voluntario Global house. Catching up with other volunteers and coordinators who have now become family. It isn’t a house, it’s a home. The coordinators in the house have been nothing but wonderful and incredibly understanding. Always there to cater to your queries or doubts and never failing to make you feel like you belong.
There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude towards Voluntario Global. The experiences I’ve gained and the lessons I’ve learnt are irreplaceable. If you’re thinking of volunteering, do consider Voluntario Global. Take it from me, you will get what you are looking for.
When moving to a new city it can be normal to feel detached from the community and lifestyle of those who have been living there for a long time. However, it`s easy to overcome this feeling in Buenos Aires as the city has much to offer travellers who want to do more than just pass through. Here are some tips to make you feel more integrated in the Buenos Aires lifestyle:
GET LOST
There's no better way to get to know a city than to explore and get lost in it. Because of the organised grid design with roads extending for miles, Buenos Aires is the perfect city to wander as you will always discover a familiar road and be able to find your way home.
Walk up and down all of the side streets and you'll discover little gems such as hidden book shops and wonderful little cafes nestled among the high rise buildings. Within a few weeks you will (quite literally) know the city streets like the back of your hand, which helps to make you feel more at home in this now familiar new city.
Once you feel more comfortable with your local area, why not explore further afield via bus, train or Subte. There is so much more to see on the outskirts of el Centro, and public transport is very safe and efficient. Soon you will be able to recite bus routes as easily as your ABCs!
USE THE LANGUAGE
Portenos are very proud of their culture and will really appreciate your efforts to use their own form of Castellano. The `ll` sound which comes out as a `Y` in Spanish is pronounced as a `shh` in Buenos Aires, which will feel very alien at first but soon you`ll find your own pronunciation changes with little effort. Using this form can help you communicate much better.
It's also good to learn a few slang phrases or words which are unique to Argentina. For example they say ´boliche´ instead of ´discoteca´ and use `aca`/`alla` much more than `aqui`/`alli`. Here is a useful link for Argentine slang: https://www.gringoinbuenosaires.com/argentine-slang-dictionary/argentine-slang-phrases/
The most important thing to do is talk to people!! Porteños are extremely friendly and always keen to help you learn more about their culture. Even if it`s just having a chat with the lady at the Post Office during one of her quieter days, or stopping to talk to the guys who work at the pizza shop to ask about the football or the weather, talking to people can really help you feel more at home.
Try attending some events such as Mundo Lingo, where you can practice your Spanish and meet new people who are also living in Buenos Aires. Most local people will happily offer to give you a tour of their city and recommend good things to do. This is a great way to make friends in the city and feel much more a part of it rather than a passer through.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY
Start to build up a routine or live like a local rather than a tourist. You can do this by joining classes, for example at the gym. The Facultad de Derecho in Recoleta offers a full timetable of exciting classes from Swimming to Kickboxing, and is very cheap. This is a great way to keep fit, improve your Spanish and make lasting connections within the community. The other students and young people are very friendly and make sure you feel welcome both within the classes and within their beloved city. Alternatively, you can join a local gym or Crossfit centre to meet with people from your local area.
Other ways to experience more of Buenos Aires culture is to go to the multitudes of cinemas, theatres, musical recitals, art gallery open evenings and book fairs that occur throughout the city. Cine Gaumont, near Congreso offers a wide range of Argentinian-made films for only $8 pesos per showing. The Teatro Colon often has free orchestral recitals during the afternoons or cheap standing tickets ($60) to their ballets and operas. The Facultad de Derecho also offers free orchestral recitals some evenings.
On top of this, there are frequent milongas and tango shows where you can watch amateurs dance for free. Feel free to join in and learn a few steps beforehand for the true Tango experience!
ACT LIKE A PORTENO
One of the best ways to feel at home in Buenos Aires is to follow the Porteno lifestyle. Sit in a café for hours, discussing literature or watching people go about their daily business. Visit a famous pizza place and stand up to eat your meal amongst the local businessmen, or visit a bar to watch a football match with the rowdy sports crowd.
Soon you will find yourself eating dinner in the very latest part of the evening, partying until the early hours of the morning and walking home through the streets as the sun rises along with the rest of the young Argentine population.
Within no time, you will feel so at home in the city that you`ll forget what it was like to eat at `normal` times, visit only tourist attractions, and needing a map to navigate the city. At this point it`s safe to say that you`ve fully embraced the Buenos Aires lifestyle and can call yourself a true honorary porteno.
Arriving in a new city can be daunting, especially if it's half way across the world and works around a completely different language and culture. To make your integration into Buenos Aires a little bit easier, here are a few tips to remember:
Transport
The transport system in Buenos Aires is very reliable, so one of the first things you should do is to buy a SUBE card. The nearest shop to the VG house is called Puerta Digital. You then need to charge your card at any Kiosk or Subte station.
If you are only here for a short time, or if you're travelling with a friend or partner, it may be cheaper for you to share a SUBE card.
When you get on a bus, remember to tell the driver where you're going and how many people you want to pay for with your card. It´s a good idea to look up the name of the road of the place that you want to go to before getting on the bus. You will always need to tell this to the driver, and they will help you to know when your stop is coming up, or tell you if their bus doesn`t go there which can be very useful!
Another important thing to remember is that Buenos Aires is designed in a grid system and roads can stretch from one end of the city to the other. This is great as whenever you feel you might be lost, you will undoubtedly come across a road name that you recognize and can then just follow it home!
However, when getting a taxi, make sure you know the number of your destination not only the road, as this can save you time and money as well as a lot of confusion.
Queuing
Queuing is a varied concept in Buenos Aires. When at a bus stop it is polite to queue and let those who were there before you board the bus first. It`s also very much expected that you must always give up your seat on any form of public transport if someone less able gets on board. Portenos are very polite and considerate, a wonderful part of their culture!
However, many shops, medical centers and the post offices operate a ticket system rather than have long queues. This is great as it means you can collect your ticket number and then look for a seat or even pop out for a coffee and come back when your number is ready to be called.
Paying
Don't be surprised if your change is not exact when paying in cash, as the smaller coins are not always available shopkeepers tend to round figures up or down. If you have any small notes or coins, always have them handy to help out!
If you want to pay by card, you will often have to present documentation such as a passport of driver's license so don't forget to bring this out when doing big food shops.
It's also a good idea to always keep spare cash on you or in your apartment as sometimes the banks will run out of notes or occasionally they will shut at unexpected times, so don't rely on this as you only option.
Food
One really fantastic element of Buenos Aires culture is the food scene. It`s perfectly acceptable to buy one coffee and stay in a coffee shop for hours without hassle.
Italian cuisine is a big part of the city`s food scene and ice cream shops will often stay open till midnight or beyond, a nice alternative to going to a bar if you want a relaxed night! They also sell insulated takeaway pots by the kilo or quarter kilo if you would prefer to have a night in.
Ensure you visit some of the city's famous and age-old pizzerias too such as Pizza Guerrin where it's normal to order pizzas by the slice and stand up to eat it with a knife and fork alongside the businessmen of Buenos Aires.
By following these tips and embracing a spirit of adventure, you´ll be sure to feel comfortable in the city in no time!
This month Voluntario Global gave a very warm welcome back to Emma from the UK, who first joined us back in 2014 and spent a month volunteering in the soup kitchen. She had such a great time that this year, at the end of her travels through South America, she stopped in Buenos Aires to spend another 3 weeks volunteering before returning home.
The soup kitchen is located in Villa 21-24, and feeds the large kindergarten next door as well as the inhabitants of the villa. The kitchen is run by volunteers from the villa itself, and receives donations and food from the government so that it can keep on going. However the ladies there work really hard from early in the morning, so they were very happy to see a familiar face like Emma’s ready to help them!
Although her Spanish is basic, Emma still developed a strong bond with those who she worked with and was touched to receive a goodbye card on her last day. It won’t be a goodbye for long, as she plans to return in the future, and we are sure that the ladies in the soup kitchen can’t wait to see her again!
After 10 years, Voluntario Global and its volunteers from all over the world continue to write chapters in the everlasting narrative of volunteering in the city of Buenos Aires.
Join one of our projects today: http://voluntarioglobal.org
Buenos Aires is often described as a ´melting pot` of different styles, cultures and influences, and this is most obvious in the city`s mish mash of architectural wonders.
Perhaps the most interesting example of such extreme contrast lies in the sight of the Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento hidden along a small side street, nestled between towering skyscrapers. Tourists often question why you would chose to hide such a beautiful, historic building behind monstrous tower blocks, and real story behind this architectural antithesis is truly fascinating.
Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena had ordered the construction of the Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento at the start of the 20th century. Her family lived in the Palacio San Martin, a huge and extravagant building which is used today as home to the Foreign Service Department. Mercedes said that seeing as she had her own palace to live in, then her God should also have his own palace, and thus the church was built across the Plaza San Martin. It was specifically placed so she had the perfect view of it from her family`s residence, and was planned to be the family mausoleum in years to come.
Corina Kavanagh was a wealthy and aspiring woman. She had plans for her daughter to marry the son of the aristocratic Anchorenas family. However, Mercedes rejected this proposal. Kavanagh took revenge by building an enourmous block of flats right in front of the Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento, blocking it from view and placing an obtrusive obstacle between the family mausoleum and their home. Only Mercedes´ body now rests in the crypt beneath the church, the rest of her family lie in the Recoleta Cemetery.
Today the Kavanagh building stands tall above the barrio of Retiro. Designed to mimic the skyscrapers of New York, it has 105 apartments, with the largest occupying nearly 700 square metres. The building provides us with an example of architectural warfare and an act of everlasting revenge.
Why did you choose to volunteer? Why choose to volunteer in Buenos Aires? Are you going alone? Is it even safe in Argentina?
I was asked these questions a lot before finalizing my decision to come to Buenos Aires. I suppose they were decent questions to ask but what bothered me most was how many back home didn’t quite give Buenos Aires a chance. But I’m glad I did. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter where you volunteer. It’s the reason behind why you volunteer that matters most. It isn’t a selfless deed because volunteering is an exchange, it isn’t a one-way street. No matter where you go or how long you go for, you will learn a thing or two, meet some of the most incredible people and in due time, gain memories that will last you a lifetime.
So why volunteer, and in Buenos Aires no less? There is just something about this city and this country that sweeps you off your feet the moment you land at the airport. This country most definitely has a heartbeat of its own. Everything moves about 3 times faster than what you’re used to and this is coming from a Singaporean who’s used to life in a big city. I wanted to experience a world so different from my own. To be thrown out of my comfort zone and to learn independently. Volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It’s about helping others just as much as it is learning from others, a lesson I’ve learnt in the 3 months that I’ve been here in Buenos Aires. I have another 2 months here in Buenos Aires and I must say that home can certainly wait. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to this city I now call home.
I'm a communications volunteer in Voluntario Global, an organization that is dedicated to bettering the lives of the people in Argentina. They work alongside kindergartens, orphanages, soup kitchens, health clinics and hospitals to name a few. My volunteer work involves heading down to these projects and creating videos and capturing pictures as a platform for them to spread awareness on the cause they believe in.
A typical day would involve travelling to sites on the outskirts of the city and meeting coordinators and directors who run the kindergarten for instance. An hour or two is spent capturing footage and conducting interviews. After which we spend time with the children or even sit with the ladies and listen to their stories. I must admit, my Spanish isn’t the best and although it was a barrier, it was never an issue. I’ve met women who’ve dedicated their lives to bettering that of others. Women who sacrifice so much to bring smiles to the faces of others. They find so much joy in the simplest of things and it made me put a lot of issues I was facing in my life into perspective. There’s a saying that goes along the lines of how a problem you face today will be insignificant tomorrow. Made me realize that some problems I was facing weren’t even problems to begin with.
The women here in Voluntario Global are a force to reckon with. They march to their own beat and hold their beliefs close to their hearts. They welcome anyone as part of their family and they sure get the job done and done right. There is always so much life and laughter in the Voluntario Global house which I live in which also serves as a workspace for these ladies. They encompass what it means to love your job and are such an inspiration to me.
I’ve learnt so much and I wouldn’t trade this experience in for the world. Buenos Aires has certainly grown on me. I suppose what I’m trying to say is, give volunteering a go. Don’t deny yourself the opportunity to experience something new. If you get the chance, do it. And most importantly, never let your own fears stop you from taking on new challenges. You never know. Your volunteering experience might teach you a thing or two about yourself too.
Every March 24th in Argentina, a public holiday is held to commemorate the anniversary of the last military dictatorship in the country, which took place on this date in 1976. After this began the Dirty War of Argentina, in which around 30,000 people disappeared - thought to be killed by the government for having dissenting opinions. This period of time, from 1976 to 1983 was a period of state terrorism, and heavy repression and censorship was exercised over the Argentine people, notably anybody associated with socialism. Freedom was heavily restricted, mothers had their babies stolen and people who did not agree with the government were tortured for information, often before being “disappeared”.
Every year on this day Argentinians march to remember the people lost in this period, many clutching pictures of disappeared friends and family. All around, people wear t-shirts and hold signs emblazoned with the phrase “nunca más” - “never again”. This year, Voluntario Global volunteers came together to talk and learn about the importance of this day in Argentinian history and culture. We then joined the march from the volunteer house down to the Plaza de Mayo. This is a significant place on this day, due to the Asosiación Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a group of mothers of the disappeared people who have gathered in the square outside the government house every Thursday since 1977. The mothers and grandmothers have had some success from all their years of fighting and since they started, 119 sons and grandsons have been found. The Plaza de Mayo was filled with people from all different social groups, who had united to seek remembrance and justice.
It was a great experience for our volunteers to engage with a topic that is so powerful and emotional in Argentina, and to promote a cultural exchange by showing solidarity with political issues in this country.
VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL
Voluntario Global helps local communities by being available to discuss anything that local organizations need, and offering ideas for further change and development.
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CONTACT
Location: General Pacheco. Buenos Aires. Argentina
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