By Marie Gradman Andersen Even though we volunteers are here in Buenos Aires to work, we have plenty of time to experience the city and all it has to offer – and that is a lot. Buenos Aires is a versatile city, where you can experience everything from cosy café visits during the day to tango dancing at a ‘milonga’ until the early morning. 
There is something special about the life in Buenos Aires that you don’t see in other places. Whether it is the European inspired building, the kind and accommodating people, who are eager to help you and learn more about you and your country, the laidback culture, where no-one is ever on time and there is always time for a ‘mate’ or the cafés, restaurants, bars and ‘boliches’ (clubs). I guess it is all a part of what makes the unique and captivating atmosphere in Buenos Aires. It is hard to describe this complex mixture of things that makes this city so special but I’m going to give it a go anyway. The people and their history Buenos Aires is a city full of history just like any other city. However this city’s history is very apparent. You see it every Thursday at the demonstrations on Plaza de Mayo where “the mothers of the lost sons” demonstrate for their lost sons who were taken by the military regime. Here there is also monthly demonstrations all over the country against the government expressing a wish for more democracy for the country, who throughout history has been ruled by various dictators and military regimes. Argentina has been fighting a long time for democracy through really tough economic periods and struggling with inflation both of which the government does not acknowledge. Therefore, as soon as the topic of a conversation changes and you start talking about the economic situation in the country, the Argentinians tend to get more passionate. And what really can divide the waters is to talk about politics, the current president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who is as unpopular in parts of the society as she is popular. 
The amazing thing about the people of Buenos Aires is that they are as hot headed as they are kind. They are always eager to tell you about themselves and their city and if necessary help you out with your Spanish. They are also very interested in hearing about you and your country as well as learning English themselves. The people of Buenos Aires seem so relaxed in their way of life, really enjoying every moment of every day. It does not make that much of a difference whether you show up on time, everybody is more or less late for times of meeting. It is a less stressed and uptight way of living then in the western countries. One thing you never will hear a ‘porteño’ say is the phrase “no I can’t go out tonight it is a school night”. They are always up for a good time and the streets are full of people into the late hours of the night every day of the week, whether they are meeting in a café or getting together for an “asado” - a barbeque with a lot of different kind of meet that everybody just shares. 
The life of the city In Buenos Aires there is always something happening. Every day of the week there is this a ‘buzz’ in the city, whether it is demonstrations, parties in the streets or the general atmosphere in the cafés, bars, ‘boliches’ (clubs) and restaurants. The city is full of life all week even though many of ‘porteños’ (the locals) in the weekends go out of the city to their houses in the provinces. The city offers so many possibilities of things to do. Regularly there are huge street parties, where they close off, for example Avenida de Mayo, (one of the large streets) to celebrate something like the celebration of the Brazilian culture. At this celebration they put up a stage in the middle of the street and a lot of stalls here people were dancing, eating and having a great time in the street. During the week there are also a lot of events going on in the city, if you are interested in practicing your langue skills you can go to events like ”Mundo Lingo”, where people with all sorts of different linguistic backgrounds get together. Here you chose the flags that represent the language skills that you possess and wear them on your shirt. Here you will meet a lot of people and if you are lucky learn something new, if this interests you a visit to the Spanish English speed dating event ”Spanglish Exchange” is also an option. 
At the cultural center Konex you can visit through the week to experience all sorts of events. Every Monday night there is a big drum show on with the band ‘La Bomba de Tiempo’. This show is amazing and every Monday it fills up the entire warehouse with people dancing, smoking and drinking all night. If you are not up for a major party you can go to one of the many small cosy bars with live music like ‘Jazz y pop’, where you just can sit down with a glass of great wine and enjoy the music and the atmosphere. If you are looking for a local experience you should go to one of the ‘peñas’ where they play with local music live or why not try one of the many places where you can dance tango called ‘milongas’ like ‘La Catedral’. If you are not up for dancing tango yourself there are plenty of experienced dancers who you can watch dance instead. It is a must to go to a ‘milonga’ when you are in Buenos Aires! 
Even though there is this vibrant life in the city during the week, the people of Buenos Aires don’t slow down at the weekend. The bars and ‘boliches’ are packed with people chatting, drinking and dancing. One of the most popular places for a Friday or Saturday night are one of the many ‘boliches’ in Palermo. Sundays are spent with the family eating an asados (barbeque) for lunch, or at a football match in the afternoon cheering on one of the many teams in Buenos Aires. You can also spend your Sunday in San Telmo where there is a street market every Sunday. Here you can spend your day shopping, eating great street food and watching the street musicians. Later on if you hang around long enough there is tango dancing and drum shows in the street. There are of course also other more relaxed activities that this city has to offer. For example can you go to one of the many restaurantsin this city, where you can sample one of the great Argentinean steaks. If you want to enjoy an amazing steak you can go to San Telmo, here is “El Desnivel”.This restaurant is famous for its steaks and they fully live up to your expectations and then some. This city holds so much! There is so much to see and do that I could write all day about it, but you should just know that this city is so unique and full of life that there always will be new things to experience – it is a city worth your time!
By Lauren Wilkinson 
After taking a short bus ride from the VG house to La Boca, we were greeted by Johan, one of the men who runs ‘Los Pibes’ and one of Voluntario Global Coordinators. Los Pibes is a community centre in La Boca run by the community where there are numerous facilities including a soup kitchen, library, computer clusters, classrooms for after school, space for boxing training and a radio station. We arrived at about 10am and after a quick tour of Los Pibes, Johan introduced me and Marie to the three ladies we were going to help cook. There were already two volunteers there who we had met previously and who volunteer on a regular basis at los Pibes. We started by washing and preparing the vegetables for a beef and vegetable stew! Once all of the vegetables were ready we let it cook and had chance to talk to the ladies we were working with. They are all very friendly and welcoming and are interested in why we are there and where we are from. In some other volunteer programs talking Spanish is made easier as there is usually someone who can speak English to help fill the gaps. However the ladies knew no English so there was a slight communication barrier; despite this we all seemed to get our points across! 
Once the food was ready we began serving it to those from the community, we served around 20-30 people within about 30 minutes. They were each given a huge portion of rice with the stew we had prepared and some rolls of bread and to wash it down some orange juice. Everyone who came for food was friendly and wanted to make conversation. Once we had served everyone, we sat down with them and had our lunch (the same as them). A lot of the community made conversation with us, which was a great opportunity for us to practice our Spanish again! 
La Boca is an area of Argentina which outside of its colourfully painted houses, has quite a bad reputation. Los Pibes allows people in the community a place to go for education, food, warmth and a friendly face. It Is refreshing to see that within a community with many problems people can still come together to look after each other and los Pibes and the people who volunteer there offer exactly that.
September 15th of each year was established as the International Democracy Day, created in 2007 by United Nations with this year’s theme being “Democracy Education” aiming to encourage younger generations to support democracy and be educated in what it will achieve. Democracy is the universal value stating that everyone should have the opportunity to determine their own future, through all aspects, whether that be economic, social, cultural or political. The creation of the Democracy Day is to encourage the continuing promotion of Democracy on an annual basis. In order to promote Democracy each year, various activities take place including conferences and talks to try to spread awareness of this day. Some of the things which democracy aims to promote are:
· supporting the rule of law,
· promoting gender equality,
· guaranteeing civic rights,
· establishing accountable institutions,
Here at Voluntario Global, we aim to empower people from disadvantaged backgrounds by giving them the education, training and support needed to succeed. Through our monthly meetings with local young people we are able to share and exchange experiences. We invite young people from poor areas and from all the neighbourhoods and organizations that Voluntario Global work with to talk about the participation, commitment and solidarity needed in order to reach a better quality of life. Our youth Brigade... Our Brigade is a decision to change reality by building possibilities. The young people decide, announce and organize specific activities spreading the need for exchange, integration and social and political participation. Share knowledge and make social changes. Become visible and self confidence to people who are involved in poverty and marginalization.
Chatting to children of Travesuras kindergarten
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A simple enough question, and one you are always asked as a child. Posing this question to the children at the Travesuras daycare center, however, made it take on a new meaning. The center welcomes children from the local community, offering them a place to play and learn, as well as a hot meal everyday. In communities where only 10% of young people go on to continue their education past the age of 16, these centers are fundamental in giving children the early enthusiasm for their studies and their future to hopefully encourage a desire for further education later on. We headed to the center for the morning ahead of the Dia Del Nino last Sunday. Dia Del Nino was established in 1954 in order to protect children working long hours in dangerous conditions, and to promote every child’s right to education. Both being causes close to the heart of Voluntario Global, and the daycare center itself, we got a variety of responses to the question, ranging from “Doctor” to “Chef” to “Teacher. My personal favorite response to this question, however, was “when I grow up I would like to be taller.”
After being served up a delicious, and very carefully prepared, plate of pretend food from the little would-be chef I can say without a doubt that all of those dreams are well within each child’s capability. Engaging, enthusiastic, lively, confident- qualities that can send anyone where they want to go. But there’s no doubt also that the children we talked to that day face more challenges in pursuing their dreams than most. The Dia Del Nino is all about celebrating childhood and the importance of education, education being the best tool a person can have to control their life and take it in the direction they want it to go. Voluntario Global and centers like Travesuras ensure that this tool is becoming increasingly available to more and more children.
In celebration of the brilliance that is the mind of a child, here are a few responses to some of the other questions we asked: -What is the best thing about coming here (to the center)? -Getting bread at lunchtime! -What is your least favorite thing about coming here? (Question posed to a young girl who, on her own in the corner, was carefully folding up the clothes of her doll.) - Boys. The boys are just silly. (As we looked over at the boys she was referring to, they were swaying, arms around each other, wearing hats and pretending to drink beer. I couldn’t help but agree with her.) -What wish would you ask for from a genie? -I would wish for lunch!
Perhaps the genie was listening, because about ten minutes later his wish was granted and we all sat down to a lovely lunch of stew and bread. It’s amazing how quickly a classroom full of excited, chattering children becomes immediately silent as soon as food is mentioned. Watching them all try and be on their best behavior so they would get the first helpings of stew, seeing how well behaved they were as they ate, and how polite they were in offering each other spoons and glasses of water, the importance of education took on a new meaning as well. Because a place like Travesuras isn’t just for enabling children to become the doctors, chefs, hairdressers and teachers they want to be: the real aim is to give every child the right start, encouraging success in their futures on a personal level as much as an academic one. With the great work being done at Travesuras Center every day, when they grow up every child from here will walk a little taller. http://www.voluntarioglobal.org/
“1881… 1893…” Mayra and I were looking for the offices of Radio Gráfica on a rainy Buenos Aires morning. “Here it is! 1941!” I could see huge red and blue letters, painted in the famous ‘fileteado’ style, saying “RADIO GRÁFICA” above the heavy red door. An unknown person buzzed us in as we tried to open it. While climbing up the stairs to the first floor, I felt as if I was in a horror movie. The building was quiet and deserted. However, the view changed on arrival to the second floor. The place was filled with voices coming from a small room with tons of bumper stickers covering the door. We could see Lucas Molinari, our interviewee, behind the glass wall in front of which a big red sign saying “EN EL AIRE” was emitting a bright red light. Figuring out that he was busy, we decided to explore radio’s place of operation. Posters and bright colors depicting different figures were covering the walls and two big tables sat in the middle of the vast room. Although the place was kind of empty, just as the first floor, it was filled with a certain warm atmosphere that only synchronized and cooperative work can bring.
Once done with his part of the radio reporting, Lucas helped us bring everything into perspective. He explained that Radio Gráfica was a result of very close teamwork. In 2003, after the closure of the Gráfica Patricios cooperative, a graphic business, the company’s workers decided to resist the will of the owners to empty the place. After nine months of resistance, they took the unoccupied areas of the abandoned cooperative into their own hands and first created a public school and a public orthodontic center. Having a free studio, they later decided to establish a church radio, due to one of the worker’s connections with the local church. However, in March of 2005 they launched Radio Gráfica, making the dreams of the residents of the south barrios of Buenos Aires come true as they finally received their first medium of communication.
Lucas proudly confirms that has been part of the radio since the very beginning when it started as an amateur organization. Today, however, Radio Gráfica is a professional station, broadcasting from the 89.3 FM. Forty- five programs that have been developed over the past seven years operate under the mission of not only providing their neighbors with local, national, and international news, but also analyzing and reflecting on it. The hard workers at Radio Gráfica believe that being informed is a human right and therefore make sure to keep their programs diverse, looking at all aspects of human life, such as sport, music, culture, humor, and so on. They also try to keep the programs unique, usually spicing them with local and national exclusive news, not mentioned in other media.
In order to keep up with the good work, Radio Gráfica receives help from the people interested in their project and the barrios of the south, where the radio operates, mostly in the form of interesting interviews. Volunteers from all around the world, coming to the radio through Voluntario Global, also help to keep the production of Radio Gráfica noteworthy by bringing pieces of their countries and their own international experiences to the programs. Furthermore, there is the public, which relates to the programs and enlivens them with their answers and opinions.
Much more help, however, is going to be needed in order to start influencing the change, says Lucas. The radio is lacking financial resources and therefore their present influence is low. Since the storm recently destroyed their tower, they are currently collectively working on obtaining a new one, which will be able to reach a larger amount of people (today, Radio Gráfica only extends in three kilometers radius from the station). Hopefully, this will also help the station to expand internally, thus being able to employ additional workers – the most important part of Radio Gráfica.
Lucas strongly believes that without the workers’ cooperation, knowledge, and information, the radio would not exist and therefore, the recruitment of young people, usually coming from the south barrios themselves, is constant. Even though very few hold the title of ‘journalist’ that does not matter, since they understand their listeners and learn everyday while working. Lucas explains that they all work in synchronization with the radio’s very important values, which are solidarity, sharing, and collective practice. With these principles everything is possible.
Another key value is also continuous improvement of the news. With regards to this, cooperation with the international volunteers is important. When asked about the experience working with the volunteers from Voluntario Global, Lucas enthusiastically tells us that, so far, the experience has been very good. It is not only the knowledge that they bring to the radio, but also the experience that they take back home with them. They live Radio Gráfica and therefore understand it and are able to share it with the peers in their countries. He tells us that one of the Voluntario Global’s alumni, Julia from Italy, is currently working in Denmark, editing a documentary about Radio Gráfica. Things like that help the radio create an international network, which is crucial for their vision of expanding internationally as well as nationally.
So far, they are on a good way to succeed but lots of determination and hard work is still needed. However, as they believe that “pueblo con poco hace mucho,” I have no doubt that they will make it. As for now you can listen to their engaging programs online at http://www.radiografica.org.ar and follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Radio-Grafica-FM-893/86983114627.
Omprakash/AM Cross-Cultural Workshop – Part II: About the Conferences
geschrieben von Valeria GraciaRead Part I The first day of the conference: My presentation was the first of the day. Titled ‘Challenges for NGOs and Volunteers’, it proposed a look at the need for organisations to develop, along with educational programmes and training, projects that empower community members in a way that they can develop sustainable activities on the long term, focussing on the development of a social and supportive economy based on cooperativism. Every day it was part of the itinerary to divide up into small groups which enabled us to analyse and exchange detailed topics and issues. These were then shared amongst the other guests in the form of a report. The topics of the small groups had three objectives; some made short presentations about tools to improve the educational programs of the organisations. Other topics prompted wider reflections with regards to the work which we do and its’ social impact. The final objective of these small groups was the topic of the portrayal of the volunteers and the ways in which to obtain mutual benefit from these experiences.
Some examples of ‘Small Group Sessions’ Building a Classroom Environment for Multiple Intelligences (Anna Hergt- http://abriendomentes.org/): This small group session will be about the different ways individuals learn and retain information, and the importance of creating a classroom environment that encompasses all learning paths, and maximizes the understanding of new ideas through differentiated instruction. Story Literacy (Sarah Littlefield- http://learnwithus.com/ ): This small group session will focus on the highly effective technique of teaching English through personal narrative. Practical guidance will enable each participant to use the method in their own teaching and training work and examples and case studies will be shown/discussed.
Volunteering: The Good, Bad & Ugly (Lacey Worel - http://omprakash.org/): This small group session will be offered six times throughout the week, and all participants are encouraged to join in. This group discussion will help all participants engage in the main workshop theme: How can we make cross-cultural interactions mutually beneficial and mutually educational?
Second day: (Eco)Sustainable Education (Jenni Schneiderman- http://www.agcchicago.org/): This presentation will share stories of sustainable operations, curriculum, and culture from a green public primary school community in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Child Protection (Liz Wilson- http://www.skipperu.org/): This presentation will help shed light on the questions, “What is abuse?” “What makes children vulnerable to abuse?” “What are some cultural differences and the legal frameworks used when protecting children from abuse?” and “What are the SKIP reporting procedures?”
Third day: Guatemalan Experiences with Social Tourism (Ernesto Guadalupe Pos- http://www.streetschool.net/): This presentation will focus on social tourism in Guatemala. Real-life examples and experiences will be shared. The organization named “Escuela de la calle” Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Johannah Waite- http://www.asociacioncrear.org): This presentation will encourage learning about the garbage we produce and how to use the 3 R's (reduce, reuse and recycle) for creative solutions.
Fourth day: Bottle Schools and Environmental Education (Heenal Rajani - http://hugitforward.org/): This presentation will explain the history and benefits of bottle schools, to explain the process of building a “bottle school” and to show how this can link into a program of environmental education. Gender Violence (Laetitia Deweer- http://www.cepiacostarica.org/): This presentation will address the following topics: 1) concept of gender and socialization, 2) masculinity and femininity, 3) gender violence, and 4) prevention of violence. Fifth day: Their Own Voice: Student-controlled technology use and storytelling for deep understanding (Cynthia Hunt & Tashi Thokmet- http://www.health-inc.org/): This presentation will describe how a remote Himalayan village and HEALTH Inc volunteers established a school computer room, introduced the technology to the students and started using storytelling learning unit. It will also describe how it now uses this methodology to let students interact with international partner schools. It will then have participants try it themselves, producing their own flip story and sharing it with conference participants. Language Learning Activities (Amanda Culver- http://www.uwindsor.ca/): This workshop will provide educators with games and activities that can be used to introduce a second language to students. These activities can be used as icebreakers and hook activities for all elementary students of all abilities and skill levels. Participants can expect to be up and moving around and being a little bit silly. 
Closing… I sincerely believe that the people and organizations which participated in this conference have the ability to understand, spread the word and help to improve the reality of a world which is declining ecologically, socially and politically. I believe that I have met people who are capable of challenging social problems instead of allowing them to become invisible once again. As I said ending my presentation,
“Other World is possible.”
One with social justice and equally for everyone.
We just need to build it together.
Creating the Laundry Project with the help of local entrepreneurs: Interview with Mariano Saccal
Lucy HolehanThe beginning of ‘Su Lavandería’… Mariano Saccal is the owner of two successful hostels here in Buenos Aires; I can see this when I arrive to interview him and the social areas are buzzing with people. The Milhouse hostels are the temporary homes for some of the thousands of tourists this city receives every year, but while he may be catering for the needs of student backpackers and travellers from all over the world, Mariano has also played an important part in a very local project. The Laundry Project, or Su Lavandería, established over three years ago thanks to the collaboration of the founders here at Voluntario Global and local business owners such as Mariano, who explains where the idea came from. “I have been in contact with Valeria (co-founder of Voluntario Global) for several years and had always offered to get involved in anything she wanted me to help with. One day she called me to say that YPF were offering grants to projects which would be sustainable in the long term, and asked if I could think of anything we could do as an NGO which had the potential to be successful” Then the inspiration came. It happened that the Milhouse hostels have their own laundry services for both the clients’ clothes and the bed sheets, towels and other linen used in the running of the hostels. Although a simple concept, it was an area in which Mariano has twelve years’ experience and useful contacts. Furthermore, the initial start-up costs for a launderette are relatively low and the operation of the business would be easy to teach. For Milhouse, it is a useful and somewhat niche addition to their hostels’ services and “It keeps the guests happy”.
Facing up to challenges The first challenge they faced was persuading YPF “to believe in it” and give them the initial grant. A clear business plan and vision for the future was needed as well as a successful meeting with YPF; “When we went to the meetings with these guys we had to convince them personally...it wasn’t difficult for me because I don’t feel scared talking to [large groups of] people”. It was later proved that Mariano’s presentation skills had paid off as the Laundry Project received backing and was able to develop from just an idea to a real business. However, Su Lavandería would not be what it is today without the hard work and dedication of the local students that work in it. “The second challenge was to make the guys that work there believe that it could be a successful business”. He explains that many of the potential employees came from shanty towns where there was a distinct feeling of frustration, especially amongst young adults who had not necessarily had the best education and could not see a future for themselves. Nevertheless, with the perseverance and inspiration of Valeria Gracia and Armin Díaz (founders of Voluntario Global), more and more young people expressed their interest and were recruited to work in Su Lavanderia; increasing their employability whilst earning money to fund their studies. The final obstacle, according to Mariano, was a financial one. The laundry service needed premises which meant proving to potential landlords that they were able to pay the rent every month. Then came buying the machines needed to wash and dry the items. Fortunately, Mariano had contacts with the company which sold him the machines for his hostels and managed to get a good price; “I had to convince him about the project so that we would give us a good deal that other people wouldn’t usually get”.
Su Lavandería in the future Three years on, and for everyone involved in the laundry project the biggest achievement is the difference it has made to the young employees’ lives. They are earning their own money and being given the chance to study and support their families. But this is not where it ends; “the most important thing is the fact that these guys, for the first time in their lives and probably their families’ lives, are working and making a profit which is a big boost for their self-esteem.” A boost in confidence is also coupled with valuable business skills for the future, “they are not following orders every day, it’s a self-managed thing…to know how to meet deadlines and payments is a big skill”. Does Mariano have any regrets about how the project was set up? “No, I don’t think so. I give a lot of credit to Valeria and Armin. Armin is the key to make the guys from the shanty towns believe in the project and Valeria is the heart of the NGO.” He humbly adds that he was “only really helping at the beginning”. As for the future of Su Lavanderia, there is room for expansion. I am told that this could involve looking for a second branch, perhaps in Palermo, as not only is there demand from potential clients in the form of local hostels, but more young people are interested in joining the project. “I would love to see that. That would be the perfect second step”. Unfortunately, this expansion will not be possible without donations and support from volunteers. In order to enrich the lives of more young disadvantaged people from Buenos Aires, the Laundry Project needs your help. If this story has inspired you, donate now! http://www.voluntarioglobal.org
Omprakash/AM Cross-Cultural Workshop - Part I: Arriving in Costa Rica [Español]
geschrieben von Valeria GraciaAs partner of The Omprakash Foundation, I applied in March for the Stipend Award for a Cross-Cultural Workshop in Costa Rica. Some time ago Omprakash informed me that they had given me the stipend to attend the workshop. So I got myself prepared to attend the Omprakash Cross-Cultural Workshop in Costa Rica - organized by Opening Minds. Arriving in Costa Rica… After recently arriving in Costa Rica and coming from the winter of Buenos Aires (5 degrees), the first challenge was to adapt myself to an average of 28 degrees. Having landed at the east coast of the country and needing to travel to the west coast for the conference, (around 5 hours on the bus), my first encounter with the locals was with the people on the bus. It was great to start to get to know the locals from the host country of the event. From the first conversations with the taxi driver, the supermarket attendent and someone who asked for directions, I felt glad for the first time that we speak the same language. Then came the information that they have a female president, they love football, that they don’t have an army, that they have almost inexistent industrial development and that the majority of the people live off tourism. A high percentage of the population speaks english perfectly. On arrival at the west coast on Playa Portrero in the region of Guanacaste, members of the host organisation welcomed me and took me with a local family who would provide me with accomodation for the whole week. I was then ready to rest for the next day when I would give the first presentation of the conference.
Why is it so important to attend events such as this? Because the exchange of knowledge and insight is a fundamental tool for social organizations who, through the understanding and experience of others, can find creative solutions for social problems and in turn know how to manage volunteers to build succesfull exchanges.
Llegando a Costa Rica… Recién llegada a Costa Rica y viniendo desde el invierno de Buenos Aires (5 grados), el primer desafío fue adaptarse a un promedio de 28 grados. Habiendo arribado en la costa este del país y debiendo viajar a la costa oeste para la conferencia, (unas 5 horas de bus), mi primer encuentro e intercambio se produjo con las personas del lugar. Fue perfecto comenzar conociendo a los habitantes del país anfitrión del evento. De las primeras conversaciones, el taxista, el señor del supermercado, una persona a quien pregunté una localización, surge en primera instancia la felicidad de hablar el mismo idioma. Poder comunicarnos verbalmente es un paso importante al momento de intercambiar. Luego algunos datos como que tienen una presidenta mujer, que les gusta el fútbol, que no tienen ejército, que tienen un casi nulo desarrollo industrial y que la mayoría de las personas vive del turismo. Un alto porcentaje de la población habla ingles perfectamente. Llegando a la costa oeste a Playa Potrero en la región de Guanacaste, me recibieron miembros de la organización anfitriona y me llevaron con la familia local para que me alojara durante toda la semana. Ya estoy lista para descansar y al día siguiente dar la primera presentación de la conferencia. ¿Por qué es importante participar en este tipo de eventos? Porque el intercambio de conocimientos y puntos de vista son una herramienta fundamental para las organizaciones sociales, quienes a través del escuchar y entender experiencias de otros, pueden encontrar soluciones creativas para los problemas sociales, a la vez saber más sobre el manejar grupos de voluntarios para lograr intercambios exitosos.
By Madison Jordan 
Mariano Vinagura, owner of America del Sur hostel in Buenos Aires, has been a client of the Laundry Project since its beginning, and he has no plans of taking his business elsewhere. Vinagura’s hostel opened in 2009, around the same time that the Laundry Project kicked off. Laundry Project co-founder Armin Díaz approached Vinagura, and after comparing the Project to other lavanderias, Vinagura said he knew the Project was the way to go. Prices aside, Vinagura expressed that his employment of the Project's services comes down to trust. Vinagura said that he knew after meeting Díaz that he “is a really nice guy,” and not much later they formed a healthy business relationship. After a period of time, neither party had experienced any issues with the other. The two happily continue their arrangement to this day. There are 90 beds in América del Sur, and cleanliness as a strong value the hostel staff believes in when serving its guests. Sheets and towels are picked up every morning and delivered every afternoon by the Laundry Project personnel. Both parties have grown quite close, Vinagura explained, because the same people always pick up and deliver. His staff and the Project’s have gotten to know and depend on one another. It is a positive relationship built upon a foundation of great service. According to Vinagura, the Laundry Project excels in cleanliness, timeliness and responsibility. The sheets are always impeccable, thoroughly cleaned and nicely ironed. The pick up and delivery service is always on time, and there has never been an issue of delay. Finally, the students are responsible beyond their years. Vinagura explained that they are very dependable and always get the job done on schedule. Vinagura is also confident in the Laundry Project’s client loyalty. With time, he said, “they have evolved.” However their prices have not. Vinagura reflected upon his relationship with Díaz, “I trust him. I know he’s not over-charging me even though the sheets, blankets and towels are always the best.” 
When asked about his understanding of society’s benefit from the Laundry Project, Vinagura described the Project as “one for people that need it. They fulfill the need, and they do it properly. “They are helping people find jobs and go to school, and making more jobs available.” He is excited about what the Project is doing, and he explained that these young men and women “would not find another job if they did not have this one.” As Vinagura said that he would absolutely recommend the Laundry Project’s service to friends or other hostel services, his promotion is unnecessary. There are currently five hostels on the waiting list to employ the Laundry Project, however there is not enough machinery to complete the work. As the Laundry Project is currently seeking donations, it looks forward to hiring new disadvantaged youth in the future. Vinagura stated that the Laundry Project “is not just a business, it is different. And I like knowing that we are a part of it.” As a brainchild of the NGO Voluntario Global, the Laundry Project relies fully on the generosity of donors and volunteers. To enable expansion for the project to serve more hostels and employ at-risk youth for education opportunities, please donate at the link below. Vinagura’s enthusiasm for the Laundry Project shows that it is more than just a lavanderia, it is an agent for social change specializing in top-quality customer service. Together, we can make a difference. Donate now
Sunday, 9:30am- After getting up bright and early and putting on all the layers we could find we arrived at the meeting point and met Andrea, plant enthusiast and coordinator for the organic garden project and the rest of VG team. Slightly unsure of what’s in store we head off to the Centro Cultural El Perro, near Barracas. 
11am- It’s time to get our hands dirty! The ‘huerta’ or garden is very empty and needs some improvements, so we start by digging up the soil and removing any rubbish or large rocks. Andrea gives us a lesson on how to use a spade properly; apparently it’s all in the arms! The other volunteers start to attach wooden frames to the planters in order to create some shade for the plants which they will need come summertime.
1.00pm- We haven’t quite found any buried treasure, only a few worms, but the soil is looking ready to welcome some new plants. Everyone gathers around Andrea as she explains what we will be planting, including small plants called ‘Lazos de amor’ (roughly ‘bows of love’). Everyone takes one and introduces it to its new home in the huerta, with lots of love, of course! The garden is in a much better condition after a few hours’ work and everyone deserves a pat on the back.
2pm- The smell of fresh empanadas lures everyone inside for a well-deserved break, but not until we’ve washed all the soil off our hands! Time for a quick team photo and our work here is done. Everyone enjoyed the morning and we can’t wait to see what the garden will look like in a few months’ time!
The garden at the Centro Cultural El Perro is now linked with the organic garden in the psychiatric hospital project, for more information on how you can join our volunteer team on these projects click here.
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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