Last week, twenty-three high schoolers and their three teachers from Portsmouth grammar school came from the United Kingdom to Buenos Aires to enjoy a week of responsible tourism and cultural exchange. This visit was one of many professor Steve has done. This time rather than being presented filtered culture, they explored the real Buenos Aires by visiting different Voluntario Global projects and non-touristy locations that became hidden treasures to the open mind responsible traveler.
Their first stop was a full day discovering La Boca, one of the most antique neighborhoods known for it’s fervor for tango and it famous football team, Boca Junior. This time they did not go to Caminito, the typical colorful housing that is seen in all the tourism brochures. They decided to walk along Isla Maciel with the new tour guides in town, a tourism cooperatives run by locals that works in the area helping residents to show the world how beautiful simplicity can be. Isla Maciel is a real residential neighborhood crossing the river that surrounds La Boca and it is just as beautiful, if not more than what is offered in the tourist zone of La Boca.
The tour starts by crossing the river through the Nicolas Avellaneda Bridge, constructed after 8 years of intense fighting between the government and the neighbors who asserted a secure way to cross. Through a walk painted with the colorful houses, an incredible mural in the church, and some spooky urban story, the guides were able to tell the group about the struggles of the neighborhood. During this cultural experience, they also learned about the community development. The guide told them about cooperative projects, reaching for sustainable growth. These cooperatives give locals the chance to study tourism and sports, while fostering general education.
After a long morning of experiences, they gathered for a big lunch, made by the co-op coordinators. Everyone seemed to know each other and be a team, holding a sense of pride in the community. They could really feel a sense of community in the way everyone interacted with each other.
To conclude this day trip, the group visited the Community Center at La Boca where they were invited to participate on the afternoon Radio Show. The students practiced their Spanish skills, telling the audience how much they have learned during their visit to Isla Maciel and how they recommended the visit.
The itinerary of the trip also included visiting the kindergarten in Suarez and a weekend picnic with the children from the orphanage. The boys show their passion for football while some of the girls create a craft station for the little ones to create noodle necklaces and works of art worthy for any volunteer museum. At last, teachers and students were able to know not only the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, but also the heart of some of its people who shared with them the love they have for what they do. This was a genuine cultural experience not influenced by commercial tourism. The group left Argentina taking home the best souvenirs, the feeling of knowing you've touched an entire community.
We would like to congratulate our former volunteer Eddy on his great, great work and beautifil songs from his EP "On the move".
Eddy volunteer with Voluntario Global some years ago, he helped at the kindergarten in Suarez where he saw a different reality and was able to understand how things work in Argentina. Eddy also put a lot of efford on his language skills by traying to make Spanish his second language.
Proud of you, Eddy. We miss you!!
Here we share one of our favourites, and if you want to listen to more, check this link: https://soundcloud.com/eddy-lalo
Buenos Aires living means nothing without football.
How would you tell your friends you visited the city of Maradona and Messi with out even experiencing a passionate football match in the middle of the rain? There is no acceptable answer for that.
Therefore Voluntario Global organised a football match to get together volunteers, local coordinators and some members of the Voluntario Global team because, who can say no to a football match in the rain?
So, besides the cultural differences, the language barrier, and the levels of exhaustion after a long day of work, everybody was up for a run in the mudy field.
Here are some of the best pictures of the night.
Commuting alone can be thrilling
“Nothing makes you feel like part of the city of Buenos Aires more than hustling through Calle Florida during rush hour. My first day of volunteer started while I was crossing Avenida 9 de Julio, which porteños take pride in for being the widest avenue in the world. You can almost feel the quietness before the yuppies mob took control of downtown” Volunteer Diana, Communications volunteer
You connect to the local community
“I learned that this project did not start with me, and it was not supposed to end with me either, it was a community effort that will be long term” Volunteer Melanie , Sustainable Development volunteer
And become an integral part of a smaller, tightly knit community
These types of experiences attract interesting people from many different walks of life. This will become your network. Don´t lose the opportunity to have a debate with those who have come a long road on similar experiences.
“I learned more here than I ever thought possible. I learned how the world works and how people different than myself think. I learned about art and community and politics all from one place.” Brianna, Childcare volunteer
You’ll improve your Resume
With placements ranging from Health centers to Marketing and Public Relations, volunteering abroad could provide a unique experience that will make your resume stand out.
“My volunteer experience has benefited me hugely and provided me with many skills appropriate for future careers and life in general.” Volunteer Beth, Communications volunteer
“I have loved being able to visit the surgery’s as this is an area of medicine that I am most interested in. Also, by meeting other doctors and nurses I have developed my understanding of medicine in different cultures, and can see how it varies to my country.” Volunteer Tamara, Health volunteer
You’ll learn a lot of Spanish
Hands on practice is often much more effective than learning in a traditional classroom.
“Volunteering abroad is all about being in other people's shoes and language learning is a good way to start. The way language is used is as important as the grammar and vocabulary I thought I knew” Volunteer Paul, Community Program volunteer
You will get to know yourself better
Volunteering is a top activity for solo travelers who want to discover a new country and culture but also a little bit more about themselves.
"As my first time away from home, this experience have made me realize that luky to have the a home and a loving family that was able to provide me while I was growing. I also understood that those things can be found in different shapes"
You’ll try new and amazing food
The prevalence and quality of steak here is no urban legend. It’s true, and it’s screaming your name.
“I´ve considered myself a truly foodie until I tried a truly Asado made by locals. It might be slow but dam is good” Volunteer Jack, Teaching Project
“Food get people reunite since memorial time. When my volunteer shift ended at the soup kitchen I knew it was time to enjoy and talk with the locals. Those lunches couldn´t be considered nothing else but a family meal” Volunteer Emma, Community Program volunteer
You could meet life long friends, and have friends all over the world
With all of these life-changing experiences, you will never forget the ones that were by your side
“Is so good to see people with the same interest and passion over certain topics all reunited in the same place” Volunteer Tanja, Childcare volunteer
“I think you can never forget the people you travel with, especially if you find it them along the road” Alexander, Teaching english volunteer
Summer approaches. Students plan their holidays and crave to put their papers away. Some go to Fiji to scuba dive, some plan cultural trips to Europe, others go to camps to the USA. But the countries of the Southern Hemisphere do not seem to fit the required parameters as feasible summer break destinations.
Was dich in Buenos Aires (Argentinien) erwartet...
Dieses Video wurde von einer Gruppe internationaler Freiwilligen erstellt und zielt darauf ab einige der kulturellen Unterschiede zwischen Argentinien und dem Rest der Welt zu erklären.
- Lage: Das Freiwilligen – Haus in Buenos Aires befindet sich direkt im Herzen von Buenos Aires, 4 Blocks vom berühmten Kongressgebäude. Es ist nur 20 meter von der U-Bahn Linie A entfernt, mit der man direkt zur Plaza de Mayo („Platz des Mais/der Mairevolution“) gelangt.
- Einrichtung: gemütliche Zimmerausstattung, Einzel- oder Mehrbettzimmer. Komplett eingerichtete Küche und Wohnzimmer, TV, Internet (beinhaltet frei zugängliche Computer und WiFi).
- Ausstattung: Frühstücksraum, Computer, Gepäckaufbewahrung, Touristeninformation
Wer kann die spanische Grammatik besser erklären? Muttersprachler oder Nichtmuttersprachler?
Wir haben verschiedene Menschen auf den Straßen von Buenos Aires interviewt, um zu sehen, wer die Regeln der Sprache besser erklären kann. Und was glaubst Du: Wer wird gewinnen?
Voluntario Global Volunteer Pedro Blumberg, aus Deutschland, berichtet über seine Zeit in Buenos Aires! Er hat als Freiwilliger in einem Community Center in La Boca (Buenos Aires) gearbeitet.
Ein Song der von Pedro Joaquín, für Voluntario Global und in Erinnerung an Armin, komponiert und gesungen wurde.
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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