As part of the organic garden project in Suarez, the volunteers have begun to make vertical gardens. This new development has come primarily out of the disastrous soil situation in the barrio. Due to its location close to a waste disposal site, Suarez has had to deal with problems of contaminated soil. Therefore, the new initiative of creating vertical gardens is a way to cultivate plants without being hindered by unproductive soil.
For people with green thumbs without green spaces, here are some helpful tips on how to construct a garden in different places:
- You’ll need to start by collecting plastic bottles, preferably all the same size (2 litres) and the same brand so that the garden is uniform.
- Get together the other tools you’ll need in order to construct your garden – scissors or box cutters, a marker pen, screws, measuring tape, wire, soil, sand, rocks, and seeds.
- From the cap of the first bottle, measure lengthways 5-7cm and mark a line with the marker. Do the same 20cm later (which should be 5-7cm from the other end of the bottle).
- Cut down the lines with you scissors and box cutters and then cut across to join the lines so that you cut out a rectangle shape.
- Repeat this with the other bottles.
- Now it’s time to connect the bottles together. Take a pin and make 4 holes in your first bottle (two and the top and two at the bottom). Thread one piece of wire through one side of the bottle and another piece of wire through the other and fasten in place with the screws.
- Repeat the steps for as many bottles as you would like in your vertical garden, but space them 12-17 cm apart.
- Fill the bottles with first a thin layer of fine sand, followed by a layer of small rocks and then a layer of soil and plant your seeds.
- You have now made your very own vertical garden! Don’t forget to put it in a place where it will have good access to sunlight!
If you liked this article, you might be interested in the following link: http://blog.voluntarioglobal.org/world-environment-day-new-project-launched-suarez/
On the day that Armin would turn 31 years old, we would like to share some information on the progress of the awarded grants to the young people in the neighborhoods so they can learn and exchange with other realities, be and make the change.
The grant is ultimately what we wanted, a path that opens for young people and allows us all who surround them —VG team, youth group, Su laundry, organizations and volunteers— the opportunity to be part of their dreams and share meetings and planning discussions.
Each grant is an excuse so together we can find the best options; make contact with other countries and date and shape ideas and projects. Moreover, several of the grantees are already making plans to implement its expertise in the neighborhoods for when they return from the chosen experience.
GRANT FOR CRISTIAN
Cristian travels to Bogota, Colombia on January 28, 2015 Over the course of four weeks he will be learning and sharing knowledge in Fundación Organizmo, which designs and trains people to develop sustainable habitats.
This foundation works with sustainable construction and is defined as a laboratory for social housing. They work with each community from their own realities and knowledge to build a better habitat that respects the identity and environment.
Their workplace is a community village where they also build horticulture, agriculture and landscaping workshops: http://www.organizmo.org
GRANT FOR MABEL
Mabel travels to Xalapa, Mexico. But her grant has been postponed until August 2015 because of her work. She works at the Ministerio de Seguridad de la República Argentina, where she joined because of an agreement that the Ministerio has with different social organizations, including Global Voluntary, who claimed that people of the barrios should be part of the security policies and programs of the ministry.
Because of her work, she cannot take time during January as she had planned for his grant. Therefore we postponed it till August —no specific date yet—.
Anyway, the place is already chosen, a rural primary school in El Zapotal will be waiting in mid August 2015. http://www.voluntarioglobal.org/es/voluntarios/nuestros-proyectos/voluntariado-en-mexico/91/programa-de-educacion-primaria-en-xalapa
GRANT FOR SAMANTHA
Samantha is traveling to Quito, Ecuador on April 24, 2015 to attend the World Conference on Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism http://www.ecotourism.org/
Samantha is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism at the University of San Martin and her desire is to focus on local development through tourism as responsible and sustainable integration and mutual understanding.
GRANT FOR XIMENA AND NICOLAS
Ximena and Nicholas travel to Portsmouth, England, on January 3, 2015.
While the scholarship only corresponds to Ximena, Nicholas intends to travel with everyone's help, so we believe we can achieve and confirm his trip in mid-November so they can both travel to The Portsmouth Grammar School.
Steven Page, director of the Spanish area of the school has been involved with VG for 7 years now, and he is working with the school community so this exchange is possible.
It is noteworthy that the school focuses on Latin America reality, promotes volunteering abroad and its students speak Spanish: http://www.pgs.org.uk/
GRANT FOR FEDERICO
Federico travels to Vallegrande, Bolivia in January 2015 with no exact dates yet, as it depends on the holiday he’s assigned at work.
It is important to remember that his grant was made possible when Idalina, who had won the grant, but is not able to travel because of her new job. Fede stopped working in Su Lavanderia Cooperative yet he remains close to the youth group.
We decided together that this experience should be different from the others in order to give him a chance to meet people with a great agricultural tradition in the fertile valley of Bolivia, where the community is organized independently for different social and productive activities. He will visit La Higuera, where Che Guevara was captured and killed. Vallegrande is one of those places that keeps the story of Che within its places and people.
On Saturday, along with Voluntario Global founder Valeria and coordinator Pedro, I had the chance to participate with the families that make up the kindergarden community located in Jose Leon Suarez. As a volunteer that works in an urbanized neighborhood, (La Boca) and who had only heard about the conditions of some of the villas surrounding Buenos Aires, I did not know what to expect. When told about poverty, most of us draw a picture in our heads to try and imagine it, but the reality is we will not even get close to it until we live it. I only saw one side of Suarez and it was the beautiful one. The people and families have basically nothing, but life has taught them to fight for their dreams in order to overcome all the difficulties that their conditions have posed on them. Lorena, founder of the Kindergarden and fellow-teacher Viviana , have worked very hard for the past four years to develope their own teaching principles and methods. On Saturday, parents were told about the kindergarten’s goals, the work that has been done, and their achievements thus far.
The learning environment of the kindergarten ensures that kids who learn in different ways can have a positive result. As is the case with all kindergartens across the world, the children are all different from each other and learn in different ways. The kindergarten has a very nice dynamic as the children naturally want to learn and the teachers understand how to guide the kids to their right path.
In terms of the community garden, we prepared ideas to share and organize the project collectively. Before we could say anything, we witnessed mothers sharing wisdom of a community that understands how people have always been linked to the earth. From then on, we enforced the idea of seeding simply because the earth is capable of providing them with food and would be beneficial to their local economy. That is why it is so important to take care of the earth, as many little things such as recycling, taking care of the water, and breaking down litter can make a big overall difference.
To understand the community garden is to understand the relationship between society and the Earth. We know for sure that wherever we go, we'll pass on all of the knowledge learned from the mothers and teachers of the kindergarten.
In conclusion, the encounter between the parents, the teachers, Valeria and Pedro was an astonishing learning experience. Parents looked up to the teachers with smiling hope, taking every opportunity to tell anecdotes about how their child has changed for the better since attending the kindergarden. They loved the idea of applying ecology to their children's education because it is regularly applied to life at home. Mothers nodded to each other when Valeria emphasized the importance of working together as a collective. A commitment was made, and a bright future surely awaits for the community garden. On a personal note, I have never seen so much ambition and respect. The kids have so much ambition to grow up, go to school, and become something amazing. They respect their parents who provide them with all that they have, and also respect those who have worked hard to ensure their future. The "seños" (kindergarten teachers) are recognized as one of the most important figures in their lives, as it was visible from all the hugs, smiles, and effort that reflects in all corners of the kindergarden.
On Sunday the Communications Team visited San Telmo to work on their next project – a short film exploring the history and sites of the barrio. The team were also joined by 11 of the other volunteers who took time outside of their own projects to help out.
The day began with a lovely walk in the sunshine from the VG house to the beginning of the weekly Sunday San Telmo market.
Throughout the day, the group stopped at various historical sites and filmed short clips taken from the pre-written script created by the Communications Team. Presenters on the day were VG volunteers Mel, Karen, James, Avni, Paul, Evan, Jess and Sophie. Other volunteers such as Stefanie and Jess provided assistance and technical support during filming.
As the day went on, the volunteers were able to help one of the organization's current social media projects as well as learn more about one of Buenos Aires's most fascinating barrios. They experienced San Telmo's famous street tango, its buzzing market and it's beautiful street art.
The sites visited included the Plaza Dorrego, a square located in the heart of the barrio, the Iglesia San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo, founded by Jesuits in 1537, Parque Lezama, the rumoured site of Pedro Mendoza´s founding of the city in the year 1536, and the Memorial dedicated to 'los desaparecidos', the people who went 'missing' during the country's last dictatorship.
After a long, tiring but ultimately successful day of filming, the group enjoyed a well earned rest, coffee and medialuna.
Keep an eye out for the release of our short film about San Telmo!
Recently, the concept of Voluntourism has been heavily criticised by many who have accused it of being a means in which privileged and socially idealistic travellers can enter less fortunate communities and ‘make their difference in the world.’ They show concern for the ever-growing industry’s treatment of the developing world as a giant ‘playground’ in which the socially privileged can overcome the ‘guilt’ they feel for being on the beneficial end of global disparity. They also fear that many projects, in which the volunteers participate for only 1-2 weeks do more harm than good in often delicate social situations.
Although it is clear that many projects exist that only ever scratch the surface of the effects of poverty, it would be very short-sighted to generalise with regards to other volunteer organizations. The main objective of Voluntario Global is to empower local communities and to create long-term sustainable development programs. The idea is to work with rather than for the community, thus focusing more on development rather than dependence. This therefore rejects the current popular notion that ‘ voluntourism is the new colonialism.’
This mutually beneficial relationship creates a two way learning experience, in which the volunteer takes away from the project just as much, if not more than the local community. It would seem that the organisation’s basis of inter-cultural exchange, is what is lacking in other projects that have been recently criticised for their ‘superficial’ and ‘disingenuous’ approach to important social issues. It is therefore clear that the idea of exchange is crucial in the success of volunteer projects. Not only do the projects exist to benefit the local communities, but they are also a vehicle through which volunteers can gain a deeper insight and understanding into the lives of the people with whom they are working.
Every year on 5th June, World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated, as a means of not only raising global awareness about current environmental issues, but also inspiring individual action on a collective level, in order to create a positive impact on the environment. Over the last few years, it has become a global event that has taken hold in over 100 countries.
Voluntario Global is currently developing a new environmental project in Suarez, Buenos Aires, in the form of a network of organic community gardens. The organization is currently working on a garden for a kindergarten and another for a health centre. The main objective of the project is that as the residents of Suarez take part in the initiative, they can use their own local knowledge to work with the volunteers in achieving what is best for the community.
Another reason as to why the involvement of residents from Suarez is crucial to the development of the project is that they can provide their own knowledge of the local area. Suarez currently suffers from a serious problem of contaminated soil. The area is situated in close proximity to a waste disposal site, and so the soil contains harmful chemicals such as lead. Therefore, the organic gardens are a way of helping to combat this particular problem and providing the area with sustainable development projects.
We have recently received a thank-you letter from one of the childcare projects to which we are currently sending volunteers. This orphanage takes care of children who have had difficult upbringings, and aims to provide them with a safe and loving environment.
Hemos recibido una carta de agradecimiento de unos de nuestros proyectos de cuidado de niños. Este hogar cuida niños que han pasado por una situación difícil. Es por eso que el objetivo es crear un lugar seguro y cariñoso para ellos.
Buenos Aires, 19th May 2014
Civil Association
Voluntario Global
To whom it may concern,
The Board of Directors of 'Building a Future Foundation' has the pleasure of writing to you to sincerely thank you for your continuing contribution and collaboration in the promotion of the rights of children and teenagers. We value the commitment that each and every one of you brings from your various countries in order to achieve together a decent present and future for Argentina's children.
Best wishes
Buenos Aires, 19 de Mayo de 2014
Asociación civil
"Voluntario Global"
De nuestra mayor consideración,
La Comisión Directiva de la Fundación Construir Futuro tiene el agrado de dirigirse a ustedes con el fin de agradecerles profundamente su contribución por seguir colaborando en la promoción de los derechos de los niños, niñas y adolescentes. Valoramos el compromiso que cada uno aporta desde su lugar para lograr juntos, un presente y futuro digno para nuestra infancia Argentina.
Desde ya, nuestros más cordiales saludos.
Early morning commutes became a common feature in the lives of the girls from the University of Texas who came to Buenos Aires to help in a kindergarten in Suarez. But navigating the Subte, sleeping on the train, and then catching a bus was only the start of their day!
When they arrived at the project, they were greeted by lots of smiles and hugs from the excitable children who came running out of the building to say ‘Hola’. But before the volunteers got too carried away, they had to delegate tasks and decide who was going to do what.
Their work wasn’t only playing with the kids, they were also here to do more physically demanding work such as building and construction, as well as painting and digging. So, one of the first things they had to do was divide up the work between themselves. Some went into the classroom to help the children with their numeracy work, while others dedicated their time to varnishing wood and decorating the walls.
This specific day was really exciting for the children. Two professional dentists visited the kindergarten to teach them about the importance of dental hygiene.
They brought with them two animal puppets with mouths wide open to demonstrate how to brush teeth correctly. It was a brilliant opportunity for the kids to interact and learn through entertainment. The grins on the faces of the kids grew even larger, and the volunteers and parents seemed to enjoy themselves too! Everybody was given free toothbrushes!
Once the children had been picked up by their parents, it was time for the big clean-up to begin! The kids are very good at making mess, so the volunteers have to be good at clearing it all away!
Meanwhile, the rest of the girls got to work on the walls of the kindergarten. They painted and added colourful designs so that the building matched the liveliness of the children.
And then, after all the work was done, it was time for lunch. Milanesa was on today’s menu! The volunteers sat down with the coordinators of the project and enjoyed some relaxing downtime.
It was the coordinators’ way of saying ‘gracias’ to the volunteers whose presence provides an invaluable helping hand. They are able to help lighten the load of the coordinators who dedicate so much of their time to the children. What’s more, they provide a great opportunity for the kids to experience different faces and different cultures, an essential part of their education!
The return journey back into the city was much like the outbound. Everyone was tired after the hard working day, so falling asleep wasn’t very difficult. But it just goes to show how much of a rewarding day the volunteers had, and how effective their work is to the project.
Sustainability not only comes with being part of a sustainable garden, building awareness is a big part of the job too. That's why Voluntario Global decided to join the march against Monsanto, a multinational chemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, which is a lead producer of genetically engineered seeds.
Despite the seriousness of the occasion, the atmosphere was that of an old friends reunion. The bright blue sky and the dazzling sun played hand in hand with the merriment of music and dance. Colourful flags adorned the Plaza which came alive with the buzz of artisanal craftsmen and organic seed producers selling their work, along with a plethora of information stands educating and informing the attendees and any interested passers-by. Kids were kept entertained with a blow-up football pitch, while everyone else danced and stamped along to the beating drum. 
As the afternoon progressed, more and more people showed up. Microphones were set up around the monument to José de San Martín allowing activists to speak out against Monsanto, and the hordes of people – porteños and foreigners alike – sat down and became the audience for these activists.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg, protesters also rallied in many other cities in the world as part of a global ‘March Against Monsanto’. As we said before sustainable development is not only being concerned as individuals but working towards those topics that concern us all as part of a globalized world.
If you liked this story, you might also be interested in the following: What do we understand for Sustainable Development? How to be a more sustainable tourist
There are countless volunteer opportunities out there! If you have ever nonchalantly typed the word “volunteer” into an internet search engine, you will be well aware of this fact. The selection ranges considerably according to country, language, cost, length, as well as type of work, schedule, and involvement. Chances are you won’t find your dream placement at the simple click of a button, you may be required to put in a little bit of research. But don’t get put off – volunteering is totally worth it! So, to try and make your life that little bit easier, we’ve compiled a few tips on how to land the best volunteer placement for your travel experience.
First thing’s first Make use of the volunteer-specific search engines on the internet, as well as social media – there are hundreds of outlets! Omprakash, LinkedIn, GoAbroad, Idealist, and Worldwide Helpers to name just a few. If you’ve been having trouble narrowing down the endless opportunities, these websites may well provide what you’ve been missing as they’re often tailored to helping volunteers find projects. Give them a try!
Search according to your interests If you don’t like sport, you’re not going to apply for a placement to teach football to kids, right? That wouldn’t make much sense. Volunteering is actually a great way of engaging with other people through a mutual passion. For example, if you love knowledge and learning, teaching English to budding young students is a great project to get involved in as it’s likely to engage you and consequently make a big impact on the children. What’s more, many potential volunteers seek to build upon existing skills that they have; medical students often like to work in health projects in order to gain experience and share their knowledge with the community they become involved in, business and marketing students may look to complete internships within an NGO in order to add to their professional skills. Whatever you do, you’re going to want to enjoy yourself and gain from the experience. It’s important, therefore, to prioritise your interests. Find a passion – be it teaching, food, sport – and include those words in your initial search for the best results.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” Now that you’ve decided what type of project you’re looking for, it’s time to move on to the next stage. A big part of volunteering is stepping out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re going abroad. While it’s important to match your interests to a project, make sure you don’t shy away from the unknown. If a project description is perfect but for one little sentence, don’t cast it aside immediately. This could well be your chance to conquer that fear, master a skill that has previously defeated you, and really enrich your travel experience. Considering new opportunities may seem daunting at first, but they will be the things that change you. These unforgettable experiences will stay with you many years into the future – and they’re sure to be great stories to tell to anyone you meet and want to impress!
Do your research! Once you’ve found that elusive yet ideal placement, you have to get a bit serious. In order to ensure you have landed a reliable and established project, you need to do some thorough research. Investigate how your potential project has evolved over time – when it began, who runs it, read some testimonials from past volunteers if possible. Learn all you can about the organisation in general, not just the project you’re hoping to join, by delving deep into their website archives and maybe even asking the organisation leaders any questions you have floating around at the back of mind. Make sure it is the right place for you. If you’re going to be travelling abroad, far from your home comforts and family and friends, you need to be confident that the organisation will look after you and provide you with what you need during your travel experience. The world is quite a big place, and your safety and happiness are paramount.
Delve into the culture before you go Finally, before sealing the deal, it’s a good idea to try and understand why you’re needed as a volunteer. Research the cultural climate in which the problems facing your project were created. Learn about the region and/or country, study the current political and economic situations, glimpse into the future. This will help you to become aware of the challenges that await you. If you want to make a difference, you need to understand exactly what work needs to be done and why the issue exists in the first place. Volunteering is a highly rewarding experience; being able to contribute to society and improve the lives of others is a feeling like no other. To turn the experience into a life-changing adventure, we recommend taking a few extra minutes to search with a purpose and to learn as much as you can about your project and its destination. It might well be the difference between a great time and an unforgettable experience. Remember - don't be disheartened if you don't find that perfect project straightaway. Volunteering is itself a commitment, so be committed to your planning. Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way!
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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