12 students from UVA (USA) took part in an exciting Group Volunteer Program

In January 2010, while everyone else was heading out of Buenos Aires on their summer vacation, twelve students from the University of Virginia arrived in the city to take part in an exciting group volunteering program.

In a project organized by Insight Argentina with Fundación Huerta Niño, they spent ten days in the La Matanza district of Gran Buenos Aires, helping to restore one of the area´s only ecological reserves.  

They were there to help Semillas al Viento, a community project that began in 1995 with the aim of building awareness of the environment in the community of Isidro Casanova.  Under the hot summer sun, the students joined other members of the project in building, planting, gardening, landscaping, and creating compost and scarecrows, among other activities. 

As well as their hard work, they were able to experience the inspirational outlook and hospitality of the Semillas al Viento community, with well-earned lunches and conversations in the sun.  As the two weeks came to an end, the project had taken a great leap forward, while the volunteers and participating organizations agreed that the experience had been both mutually beneficial and extremely enjoyable.

‘The community at Semillas al Viento opened my eyes to the potential of a group of dedicated volunteers to accomplish their dreams.  The volunteers there were some of the brightest and most generous people I’ve ever met.  Their resourcefulness was astounding.  The optimism at the worksite was pervasive and contagious.  Not only were we able to accomplish numerous tangible goals (building an adobe hut, painting a wall, clearing overgrown areas), we also had priceless cultural experiences like bonding with the local people, drinking mate, and exchanging stories over extended lunch breaks.  Overall it was an inspiring experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.’ Kevin Klembczyk, University of Virginia

For more information about Huerta Niño Foundation, please click here.

For more information about “Semillas al Viento", please click here.