Background info
Having worked in the social field for 20 years, Lore had a dream to create her own kindergarten in the neighborhood of Jose Leon Suarez. At the time, the neighborhood was made up of Paraguayan immigrants living in tents, and access to water and lighting was very limited. After years of hard work, Lore’s dream came to fruition in 2009 when the kindergarten officially opened. The school consisted of one floor with a kitchen and chairs, and the kids all spoke Guarani, an indigenous language of Paraguay, making communication almost impossible.
Now, some 10+ years later, the kindergarten consists of two floors, three classrooms stocked with tables, chairs, and toys, a kitchen, four toilets, and access to lighting and water. The surrounding neighborhood has made huge strides in development, and the population now consists of a mix of Paraguayan immigrants and local Argentinians. Lore’s dream is now carried on by Cande, her daughter, who has been the official coordinator since 2022. Cande was just 9 years old when the kindergarten opened and has grown up alongside it. With experience in the social field as well as having studied to become a teacher, Cande continues to build on the project started by her mother some 14 years ago.
Why is this project important for the community?
The area where the kindergarten is located is relatively new and still developing. A majority of the workers that live here, work in construction, therefore they try to urbanize the area altogether. A major issue is dealing with waste, which is abundant and generates illnesses. This problem is also because the waste companies are private, therefore, the community inhabitants cannot afford to hire them and the government does not pay either.
However, the kindergarten does more than provide food for the children, as the teachers aim to educate both children and their parents. This community in particular needs support mainly for the children, and this kindergarten provides that opportunity since it is difficult to find it elsewhere. All the people who work there try to change the reality of the children whose families do not have a disposable income, to make them feel sustained. "Travesuras" also symbolizes a link between the parents and the schools the children will go to after kindergarten.
Volunteer's Role
The volunteer can do a lot to help in this context. They can play with the children, serve the meals, organize activities to entertain them such as music, movies, sports, or art activities. The volunteer can be the source of energy and good vibes for the children and they can also be a shoulder to lean on for the teachers. In addition to this, the volunteers can also exchange with them about their respective cultures and traditions, imparting their knowledge with those who do not have the same opportunities as them. Their viewpoint can be a positive thing for the improvement of the organization of the kindergarten and they can also provide a fun change in the daily routine of the children.
What can you learn as a volunteer?
In this area, where a variety of cultural communities live together, the volunteer learns a lot about social diversity. Moreover, they can share with the local inhabitants their customs and experiences, providing for improvements to the organization of the nursery because they welcome any and all suggestions. The volunteer will also benefit from the company of the kids, who are always full of energy and happy to see them! They will receive a good lesson in patience and learn to see everything from a different perspective. All in all, this nursery is a place wealthy in the amount of love that circulates among everyone involved.
Soft skills that kindergarten volunteers are most likely to develop
Long term volunteers can apply for a soft skills certificate from GLORE, a Project from the EU. You can choose up to 5 skills to certificate according to your experience and will.
- Organization and Time Management
- Autonomy
- Confidence
- Creativity & Innovation
- Comm and Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
- Ethics and Work Commitment
- Empathy
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Multicultural Awareness
- Open-mindedness
- Responsibility
- Self Awareness
- Team Work
- Learning to learn
Availability
The day starts at 8:00 am and ends after lunch, around 12:30 pm. This program is not available during the summer holidays in Argentina (from mid-December till March) and 2 weeks in July (winter holidays).
Location and first day at work
The Center is located in Jose Leon Suarez, about 1 hour and 20-minute far from the center of Buenos Aires and accessible by train and bus. On their first day, the volunteer will meet with the coordinator of Voluntario Global who will accompany them to the project and show them how to get there.
Requirements
- Valid Passport & Visa: Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Volunteers enter the country as tourists and can stay for up to 90 days. Extensions on visas are possible; our coordinators will advise you on this process.
- Medical Insurance: Voluntario Global requires the volunteer to have adequate medical insurance for the duration of the program and must be provided with details of such insurance coverage at the time of confirming their placement.
- Spanish Level Required: Basic
- Minimum Stay: 2 weeks
