SU Lavandería is a student-run, co-operative company founded by Voluntario Global five years ago. The launderette, originally being a project set up by Voluntario Global, has established itself as an independent service provider to local hotels and hostels that are part of the Responsible Tourism Network. It is important for Voluntario Global that this project gives more to young people than just financial help.
Currently, there are nine young people working at SU Lavandería - six boys and three girls. Coming from different parts of South America, including Bolivia and Paraguay, the nine members of the SU Lavandería team bring a diversity of cultural backgrounds to the workplace. They all come from one of the villas (shanty towns) around the city of Buenos Aires. Their lives are marked by poor living standards in a disadvantaged society where the majority of their peers do not have the opportunity to get a decent education or career. Many young people are so busy supporting their families that focusing on their own education often becomes second priority. For a lot of people with financial stability and support from home, situations like these are hard to imagine. It is normal to pursue a university education or spend time abroad to make experiences and grow as a person. For the nine youngsters, SU Lavandería is a chance to at least achieve a university degree or to pursue their dreams for a better education while ensuring some financial support for themselves and their families. It is also a chance to learn skills beyond their immediate tasks that will benefit their future life, no matter if they work or study.
The people working at the SU Lavandería are in different stages of their life. David, who has been working with the launderette since the very beginning, has just finished his studies as a personal trainer. Since he finished, he took on another job in the field of maintenance and gardening that he needs to coordinate with his work at the laundry. "My work at SU Lavandería did not stop for me after finishing my degree. This project became a part of my life and I want to continue engaging in it", he said. This is possible because of the flexible organisation of the launderette; a new schedule is set up every 3 months to accommodate the changing needs of the nine employees. This allows each of them to develop their ambitions on pursuing another occupation such as studying or working in another job. Gabi, a young girl studying to become a nurse, explains how she intends to manage both working and studying. "Often, I'm using the bus ride to work and back home to study. Sometimes I also find myself staying at the laundry before or after work for a little while to study."
No matter if they are still studying or have already finished their studies, for all of them the work at the SU Lavandería is a great chance to gain important life skills. "With the responsibility of working in the laundry project, we all are confronted with daily challenges that we need to manage and that make us learn beyond our obvious tasks. We all need to coordinate the work that has to be done. We have to constantly communicate with each other about the things we do and most of all work together as a team.”, describes David who is in charge of the laundry project. What David says matches the goal of Voluntario Global as an organization. It is important to support people in order for them to be able to have a stable future - financially as well as personally. “When someone new is joining the team we are doing our best to integrate this person into our routines as quickly as possible. We are asked to provide proper instructions to handling the machines and try our very best to make them a true team member as quickly as possible.”
Working at SU Lavandería - for the nine youngsters it especially means working in a team. For them it’s not like any job but a part of their lives. Besides the work, they acquire a lot of other valuable skills and qualities. Integration, team-work, communication and openness are the key characteristics for SU Lavandería, Voluntario Global and all their projects. Ultimately, SU Lavandería is Voluntario Global’s first own project that reflects what we stand for and what we want to achieve.
As always, the tías (aunts) at the kindergarten are doing a great job with the kids. Our volunteers Sarah and Christoph are doing the best they can to help! In Pinitos, another nearby project, Marianne and Kei are helping with the preparations before the children arrive next week.
Christoph, a marketing student from Austria, gets stuck in with the children from the kindergarten. Volunteering with kids is an exhausting, but rewarding, experience. Sarah from Sweden has been working at the project for 3 weeks. At Pinitos, Marianne from France and Wilf from the UK are giving the kindergarten a much-needed makeover. Kei from the UK is in his element!
For more information, or to volunteer with one of our projects, visit www.voluntarioglobal.org.
La beca fue creada a mediados de 2013, luego del fallecimiento de uno de los fundadores de VG, con el objetivo de honrar su vida y sus acciones de una forma activa y solidaria, brindando la oportunidad a jóvenes de los barrios populares de poder viajar y conocer otras realidades a partir de propósitos tanto personales, como comunitarios y sociales.
La recaudación que permitió otorgar estas becas cerró el día 14 de febrero, con un total de US$ 8672, gracias a las donaciones de ex voluntarios y de compañeros y organizaciones argentinas. Este monto permitirá otorgar entre 3 y 5 becas dependiendo de los valores de pasajes y alojamiento.
El sábado 15 de febrero compartimos junto a organizaciones sociales y jóvenes de diferentes barrios una jornada de debate y reflexión que nos permitió al final de la tarde votar entre los 10 jóvenes que habían presentado sus proyectos para viajar al exterior y realizar actividades de voluntariado, intercambio y formación profesional.
LA ASAMBLEA DE ELECCIÓN
Reunidos durante varias horas en asamblea abierta, las organizaciones presentes, por medio de sus delegados, hicieron uso de su voto luego de escuchar el proyecto de cada joven y su propuesta de devolución a la comunidad.
Como ocurre en cada asamblea, la seriedad y el compañerismo no se hizo a un lado, cada uno de los presentes compartió su postura, gracias a la cual se completó un cuadro con los criterios de valoración que guiaba el debate. El mismo finalizó luego de contabilizar los votos.
PROPUESTAS
Los jóvenes presentaron una gran variedad de proyectos de acuerdo a sus estudios y a la ayuda que pueden brindar en sus barrios a su regreso. Desde colaborar en una escuela indígena en Paraguay, compartir tareas diarias con organizaciones sociales educativas en México, hasta aprender sobre sustentabilidad energética y desarrollo sustentable en Colombia o intercambiar y desarrollar pautas de turismo y desarrollo responsable en Inglaterra.
CRITERIOS DE VALORACIÓN DE LAS PROPUESTAS
El impacto en la comunidad local, la concordancia entre el proyecto y la propuesta de devolución a la comunidad y el acompañamiento de las organizaciones fueron los criterios fundamentales que todos los presentes evaluaron antes de emitir su voto.
¡LA VOTACIÓN!
1ra beca y 2da beca- CRISTIAN – COLOMBIA e IDALINA – PARAGUAY (Empate) 3ra beca – SAMANTHA – INGLATERRA4ta beca – XIMENA – INGLATERRA5ta beca – MABEL – MÉXICOUNA REFLEXIÓN FINAL
El equipo de VG considera que el proceso entero de participación de jóvenes y organizaciones ha sido la mejor forma de recordar a nuestro compañero y de ayudar a que continúen sus sueños de igualdad de oportunidades y de acceso a la educación y al intercambio como formas de paz y conocimiento entre los pueblos. Personalmente, como cofundadora junto a Armin de Voluntario Global, estoy convencida de que su vida nos ha marcado un camino que seguiremos transitando.
Valeria Gracia
Co fundadora. Coordinadora de desarrollo institucional
The “Armin’s Dream Scholarship” was created in 2013 after the passing of one of the founders of Voluntario Global with the goal to honor his life and his actions in an active and solidary way. Giving teenagers from the neighborhoods in Buenos Aires the opportunity to travel and get to know another world with the intention of experiencing community and society. The campaign of fundraising which funds these scholarships ended February 14, 2014 with a total of 8,672 $US. Gratitude to all people who donated: ex volunteers, friends and Argentinian organizations. This amount will allow between 3 to 5 applicants to receive a scholarship, depending on their travel and accommodation expenses. On Saturday, February 15 2014, we came together with social organizations as well as teenagers from the neighborhoods for a presentation of the different projects, a reflection and debate of which one should be supported. This allowed us to vote among the 10 young people who had submitted their plans for travel abroad and volunteer activities, exchange and training. THE ASSEMBLY The meeting took place for several hours in the form of an open assembly. The different organizations were presented through their delegates. After hearing about all the projects and the teenagers making the promise to return to the community they were able to use their vote about which project will receive a scholarship. As in every assembly, you could feel the seriousness and companionship between the applicants: each of them were able to share his or her view, thanks to the given frame of the assessment criteria that guided the debate. The same applied for the election afterwards. THE PROJECTS The teenagers proposed a wide variety of projects which will support their studies and also help their neighborhoods when they return. From working in an Indian school in Paraguay, helping with daily tasks in educational social organizations in Mexico or learning about energy sustainability and sustainable development in Colombia to exchanging and developing guidelines or supporting responsibility development of tourism in England. EVALUATION CRITERIA The impact on the local community, the correlation between the project and what the applicant could give back to the community and the accompanying organizations represented the key criteria that were evaluated before taking the vote.
THE RESULT 1st and 2nd place - CRISTIAN – COLUMBIA and IDALINA – PARAGUAY (tie) 3rd place – SAMANTHA – UNITED KINGDOM 4th place – XIMENA – UNITED KINGDOM 5th place – MABEL – MEXICO FINAL REFLECTION The VG team believes that the whole process of participation of young people and organizations has been the best way to remember our friend and help to continue his dream of equality, access to education for everyone and exchange as forms of peace and understanding between people. Personally, as the co-founder of Voluntario Global with Armin, I am convinced that his life has marked a path to continue to walk on. Valeria Gracia
How to make your time as a volunteer in Argentina unforgettable
geschrieben von Jesica FrancoIf you are considering going to Argentina as a volunteer, we hope the following article will dispel your doubts and help you to have an unforgettable time.
People & Language
The Argentinean people are known for their charm and their wit, however most of all for their national pride. Politics is a staple topic in local cafés and bars and Argentineans don’t shy away from public expression. For them, protest and demonstration are tools to achieve democracy and change that have had to be gained through struggle. Because of this demonstrations and strikes seem almost to be part of the Argentine daily routine.
If you have a sweet tooth, you are sure to love Argentina. Dulce de leche is the most famous sweet – the sweet caramel sauce is the Argentinean answer to Nutella. It can be found in many sweet dishes and ice creams and it is almost impossible to avoid at some point during your stay. Argentinean summers can get very hot. For this reason, it is essential to drink a lot. The perfect refreshment here is Yerba Mate (or just Mate). It is a tea made from the leaves of the mate bush and people love it for its stimulating effects. It has a strong, slightly bitter taste which was originally appreciated by Argentina's indigenous population.
Tips for Volunteers
- Try to be open-minded when it comes to food. Remember, you are not at home and it is not your mum cooking here!
- Be ready to work with your hands when you volunteer in a soup kitchen. If no one cuts the onions the soup would not taste good.
- Don’t stick to food you can eat at home. Being interested in a culture also means being interested in a country's cuisine.
An event of cultural diversity Vibrating hips dressed in colorful stunning costumes, moving to capturing Latin rhythms, bienvenidos a carnival in South America. Being one of the most traditional popular festivals in the history of mankind, many people forget about the deep religious roots of the carnival celebrations. Historians state that the first carnival festivities date back over five thousand years ago, originating in ancient Sumer, an ancient civilization that equals modern day southern Iraq and Kuwait, and spreading from the Roman Empire into all Europe. Similarly, all over America different forms of appreciation for mother earth and the gifts of life emerged. Over the past centuries, indigenous American traditions started to mix up with influences that were carried over by Spanish and Portuguese sailors in the 15th century. At present, we can find endless amounts of expressions of the carnival festivities – not only worldwide but also in a country such as Argentina.
From Salta to Buenos Aires and all the way down to Ushuaia different styles of celebrations have evolved that mix various immigrant traditions with local cultural elements resulting into a high variety of local costumes, music and dance expressions. When it comes to celebrating carnival, initially every one thinks of Río de Janeiro. And with good reason too - the parade in Río's Sambadrome is the biggest carnival party on earth. More than 90,000 spectators pack themselves along the 700m stretch in downtown Río to see the parade of local samba schools. However, for those who want to step off the beaten track, it is highly recommended to visit one of the countless more local celebrations of carnival that the South American continent has to offer. For those wanting to experience an authentic carnival parade, the ‘Carnaval del País’ in Argentina’s Gualeguaychu offers a great alternative to Río. With extravagantly dressed performers accompanying incredible unique floats, carnival in Gualeguaychu is a real slice of Latin culture. A three-hour bus ride from Buenos Aires heading north along the Rio Uruguay, Gualeguaychu is a popular weekend destination for Porteños (the people of Buenos Aires) to escape the city's heat and chaos during the summer months. Almost half a million tourists annually visit this town of about 100,000 people to watch the events, swim in the nearby Nandubaysal river and enjoy the numerous bars and clubs.
Every Saturday in January and February, the parade in Gualeguaychu's Corsodromo starts at about 10 pm and lasts all night until 4 in the morning. Hundreds of performers along twelve stunning floats entertain some 40,000 spectators on the stands of the Corsodromo. This is the place where Brazilian samba rhythms and Uruguayan street music meet the talent and passion of local social and sports clubs. Much like the carnival in Rio, the parades in Gualeguaychu have a highly competitive nature. Every weekend, a different set of judges assesses the parades based on three categories. Finally, on the first weekend of March, two months of carnival celebration come to an end with the Noche de Carnaval as well as the Megafiesta Carnavalera. That's when 9 months of hard work may be rewarded with millions of pesos and the admiration of the crowds. Gualeguaychu is a place for true carnival connoisseurs - people that like to sit back and appreciate the detail and hard work that was put into the 16.000 feathers that decorate a single costume or the harmony of dance and music expressed by the various talented performers. Even though there may be countless parties that celebrate this event happening before and after the show, the actual parades do not necessarily encourage much interaction with the crowd and draw a clear line between performers and spectators. Out-going and party-seeking people may miss the enthusiasm of the crowd and may find themselves shaking their hips alone in a mostly calm grandstand.
Needless to say - carnival is not just about sitting back and watching some nice parades running by. It's about moving your own hips as well, becoming part of the happening and interacting with the local culture. This same spirit finds its way onto the streets of some of Buenos Aires' largest neighbourhoods. Countless street celebrations praising the event of carnival are happening every Saturday and Sunday evening in February, as well as the first weekend in March. Entire streets are shut down and decorated with colorful banners. Local people put up food stands and sell accessories that liven up the atmosphere. Kids play with each other on the street and attack everybody in reach with some kind of foam-spray. For 3-4 hours local dance groups, consisting of 30 or more people, show off their home-made costumes and perform their choreographed dances to the rhythm of the drummers - of course not in such a professional manner as to be witnessed in Gualeguaychu, but with at least the same amount of talent and passion. Occasionally, spectators join their performances and get caught in the crowd. Before and after the performances of each group everyone is free to come, chat and take funny pictures. The crowd is vibrant and alive and it feels like every single person on the street that night is an essential part of this big celebration.
One occasion. Two places. Two different ways of celebrating. Whoever wants to experience what carnival is like off the beaten track of Río's Sambadrome should not hesitate to come and witness what Argentina's best spots for celebrating carnival have to offer. Offering two absolutely different perspectives of celebrating this event, in Argentina you have the opportunity to live the true carnival experience.
Argentina boasts a variety of nature like no other country on Earth. It stretches from the tip of Antarctica in the south to the border with Brazil in the north and is home to many different natural attractions, from the glaciers of Patagonia to the salt flats of Salta and the waterfalls in Iguazu. As a result it is one of the most unique and incredible countries in the world to travel to.
However it is important that we don’t take these places for granted. Sadly, the Argentine region of Misiones, which is home to the famous Iguazu Falls, is under serious threat from mass deforestation and has already lost as much as 40% of its original rainforest. At the same time, more than 30% of the land in Patagonia (in the south of Argentina) has been heavily degraded from its natural condition. As tourists we have a responsibility to ensure that by visiting a country we don’t have a negative impact on its environment. Of course this is not all the fault of tourists. Many of the natural challenges facing Argentina have arisen for reasons completely beyond our control, but it is also the case that tourism can make the situation worse. One of the ways we can try to avoid this is by choosing carefully which companies we use. The Responsible Tourism Network (RTR) is one of the organisations in Argentina which aims to make this easier. The network accepts members from the tourism sector who have a real commitment to sustainability and is a great resource for those wanting to travel sustainably. In their words, “the world requires our active participation to achieve the urgent transformation necessary to enjoy tourism and a world for each and everyone.”
For those wanting to do even more, volunteering is a great option. Sustainable tourism isn't just about conserving our natural environment but also integrating with the culture of the place we are visiting and creating a relationship with the local people. In this sense there is no better way of travelling sustainably than volunteering with the local community in a worthwhile project. It allows you to experience a new culture and country, while also having a positive impact on your environment – whether it is by helping out in a local orphanage, soup kitchen or even community radio station. So for an unforgettable, and entirely sustainable experience, why not consider volunteering?
The first two weeks of an adventure abroad can be quite challenging. Different culture, different climate, different people - but the biggest challenge might be the communication in another language. Here are five tips for you how to deal with a language barrier that will probably encourage you not to give up even if it gets more difficult.
Knowing the basics never hurts
Knowing the basics of a language is the least you can do, it will show people that you are trying your best in being understood. Every culture appreciates its own language so knowing the basics is the best way to show respect. Besides, it will give you the basic security that you need. Get a feeling for the pronunciation, the grammar and the most useful phrases and words like "Please" (Por favor) "Thank you" (Gracias) and "Excuse me" (Permiso). Remember, it never hurts to know good manners in more than one language. The best is to write them down, in case you forget. Also, take notes of new words and phrases that you learned throughout the day.
Use your hands and feet
It will happen to you that people won’t understand you. Don’t be discouraged! You can try to show what you want by pointing to it. Use all your communication weapons: mimics, sounds, hand language, even drawing is allowed. Use your creativity towards any complex situation. Always be open and playful and nobody will leave you without an answer; if you try hard people will try hard with you.
Just talk
Even if some words are in the wrong order or you pronounce it differently, even when people ask you to repeat what you’ve said a couple of times: keep talking. It will get better with practice. Don't wait until perfection, languages are never spoken as in your books, not even by natives. People tend to use slang and paraphrasing which is a never-ending story when it comes to know them all. If you just jump into the pool of language somehow you will find your way to say what you want, and if not someone might dive to rescue. The most important thing is not to get frustrated and start all over, this time using your notes as floats.
Get in touch with native speakers
What if I told you that being abroad is like attending the most didactic and interactive class of your life? Yes, having the opportunity to be surrounded by natives is the best way to learn the real deal. So get your butt out of your hostel and go strike ahead to non-touristic activities like workshops, classes or why not a volunteering opportunity?! You know it, native speakers are the best teachers. They cannot only help you with the pronunciation or the right words but also teach you common phrases, sayings and slang words. In addition to that, they know the city and cool places to go to. Don't miss the opportunity of having your study book and travel guide all in once by making friends with locals.
Take yor time
Coming to a foreign country is overwhelming. There are so many new things to see, hear and taste. So many new and different people, behaviour and social ways you have to get used to. Give yourself some time to adapt first, and then work on your things-to-improve-list like your second language. Frustration is your only enemy, don't let it wrap you in its negativity. By the time you feel in your element you will be having conversations or at least a pleasant exchange of coherent sentences.
The most important thing to remember is to not be discouraged. You are only learning by practicing, and the best practice is to get out there, use our tips and talk!
When school is out in Buenos Aires, many families long to escape the city’s heat and chaos for a few weeks and visit one of the nearby beaches to sit back and relax for a while. School holidays in Argentina last from mid-December through the end of February. For kids this may be the best time of the year, but for their parents school vacations pose a potential headache. Many families heavily depend on the work and income of both parents and will neither have the time nor the financial resources to go on holiday and keep their children busy. When school is out in neighborhoods like Barracas, many kids lack organized childcare and are often left on their own. The most attractive but also most dangerous place for them to be spending their free-time is on the street without any proper supervision and guidance. The summer camp Colonia de Barracas, located in the south east of Buenos Aires, is one of the institutions in town that try their best to keep local children of the street during the summer holidays and offer organized child care to the best extent possible. Being situated just a 20 minutes bus ride from the city centre and close to the Subte station Constitution, the Colonia de Barracas offers a roof, food, a wide playground and lots of care for 40-50 children from the surrounding neighborhoods. The summer camp is managed by 7 to 10 energetic and dedicated teachers and students that use their vacation break to support the neighbourhoods in need.
Colonia de Barracas provides a variety of activities for children aged 12-18. A space for playing soccer, volleyball and table tennis, or simply hanging out, this summer camp is the perfect place for local kids during the summer months. The supervisors, or ‘profes’ (short for 'professor') as they are called by the kids, dedicate themselves to making sure everyone is active and engaged, for example during a game of basketball or volleyball on the outdoor concrete courts. Special activities and trips are often organized for the children that give them the chance to do things they might not otherwise be able to. They are encouraged to test their strength when conquering a climbing wall or zip lining over a small river. A short visit to a local swimming pool may be a welcome cool-down for supervisors, volunteers and kids after a hot day filled with activities.
At Colonia de Barracas, volunteers are always in high demand and greatly welcomed. Managing a group of up to 50 children, there is always a game to engage in or a curious child to talk to. With a proactive and open mindset and the drive to engage with children from different backgrounds, this summer camp will be a fulfilling experience for any volunteer. Anyone visiting Colonia de Barracas can expect a very warm welcome by the team and the children, and the chance to get stuck in to everything great that the camp offers. Colonia de Barracas is a place where everyone has the ability to make a difference – for yourself and many others. So, come and make a difference!
In order to honor Armin's memory, co-founder of Voluntario Global, and with the help of its most loyal volunteers, we created a fundraising campaign to enable young argentinians from our projects to volunteer abroad. As one of Armin's dreams was for all young people to have the chance to travel, see the world and have an opportunity to broaden their minds. The campaign has so far collected $7.524. This gives five youngsters the opportunity to travel abroad, thanks to the many volunteers that have donated for the cause. The completed forms will be thoroughly selected by our board of former volunteers and members of the community in Argentina. The Participants Paola Nina is part of Uniendo Caminos. She lives in Villa 21, a humble area in Barracas neighborhood. Her goal is to visit Mexico and participate in a health project to enrich her medical career. She wants to proves herself that she can be an efficient volunteer even in a different culture and benefit future people in her community by sharing her experience. Ximena Suárez and Nicolás Molinaare the cutest couple at “By your side” school of English in Pablo Nogues. They were students and now they become teachers. Their goal is to experience the language they had been practicing for so long in a native country, that's why they have chosen a rural school in Portsmouth, UK, to volunteer on what they know best: teach. At their return they hope to bring back some English culture to their community. 
Samantha Zurita is part of the kindergarten “Los Pinitos” in Jose Leon Suarez. She wants to go to London to learn more about responsible tourism at the local organization “Friends of the Earth”. By working on an environmental project she hopes to help kids at Suarez. Juanito Omar Hurtado is the youngest volunteer constructor at Chacras eco building project. He wants to continue learning on how to improve his construction skills. That's why he wants to participate in an eco- building workshop in Metelpec, Mexico, so he can exchange knowledge and then share it with the local communities of Villa Elisa, in Buenos Aires, and Centennial, in Neuquen, when he returns. 
Mabel Mamaniis part of the VG Young People Group. She studies to become a social worker and lives in Soldati neighborhood. She wants to be a volunteer in a rural school at El Zapotal in Xalapa, Mexico. She is convinced that being a social work student will let her not only enjoy her experience volunteering, but also gain valuable skills for her future career practice. 
Christian Oropeza Basualdo is also part of the VG Young People Group. He studies architecture and lives at Flores neighborhood. His goal is to expand a sustainable development and bio-architecture project at Tenjo, province of Cundinamarca, Colombia. He is interested in learn techniques from the locals and bring his knowledge back to his own community. To make it possible for all this young and inspiring people to volunteer abroad, please help Voluntario Global by donating as little or as much as you can is receiving at
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.
Read more...
CONTACT
Location: General Pacheco. Buenos Aires. Argentina
Email: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!