By Olivia Puddicombe
This week we had the opportunity to go to La Boca, somewhere we’d never been before. We were incredibly impressed with how unique this neighbourhood was, and how greatly the touristy area varied from the local neighbourhood surrounding El Caminito. After a stroll around El Caminito and a delicious asado we were met by Johan who walked us the few blocks to El Centro Comunitario de Los Pibes. It was amazing how fast the buildings changed and how quickly it became apparent the low economic status of this section of the neighbourhood.
The centre was started over 15 years ago by 6 families who united to help each other through the financial stress of the economic crisis and since has grown to more than 100 families. With this growth the centre has also moved to a new location which impressed us with its size and capabilities. Complete with a library with books donated by the local community and the government, two kitchens, a sewing room, offices, classrooms, large area for playing sports and most recently a computer room filled with computers which Voluntario Global helped to procure. Whilst being given our tour we came across a meeting of the project directors as well as community members discussing current political issues and the centres involvement in them. It was amazing how passionate they were, and to us it seemed more like a political debate than a meeting. When the children arrived from their long day at school they greeted us with kisses and got straight to work. The centre runs a voluntary after-school help session where volunteers help the children with their homework, talk about their days, and play games. It was clear in their smiles that this was surely one of the highlights of their day, and we were amazed how focused and well behaved they were after an entire day at school.was such a treat to see how this centre manages to help the lives of so many people. It has become a fundamental part of the local community and its great to see how much Voluntario Global and the volunteers help contribute to its long term success.