When I arrived in Argentina I planned on doing a study abroad program for the first half of my time there, and then finding something else to do for the second half of my allotted time. I did some research and found HelpArgentina, and their volunteer program, Insight. They were very helpful in setting me up with a volunteer opportunity in the greater Buenos Aires area.
Over the next four months I worked at a center that provided food, education and a place for families to go for help. We volunteers helped with the daily activities (such as unloading boxes of food and supervising the children) and I got to experience a part of Argentina that I never would have been able to had I simply studied in the city. Working with the children was at times difficult: we had to stop fights, sometimes try to look after 30 kids in a single pool, and attempt to give equal attention to all of the children who wanted to read books or play. After getting to know the kids and hearing about their lives, I learned that what we were doing was much more than just playing with kids and making sure no one got hurt-we were setting an example for children who didn't have many positive mentors in their life, and at the same time we were helping them realize that they could do things such as finish school, which perhaps their parents and other relatives had never done. It was difficult for me to leave the program because I had gotten to know these children so well, learned about their families (or lack thereof), and saw them grow over the summer. I could only hope that more volunteers could go and continue the work that we did, because I recognize that these children need constant stimulation and encouragement.
I only helped with one small part of the community center-it also does community outreach and aides the community with their health and nutrition needs. When I signed up with Insight I agreed that when my volunteer time was finished I would become a "social ambassador" in my
own country, spreading the word and trying to encourage donations to the community center. When I returned and told people about my experience and how they could help the organization, they were very willing to contribute through HelpArgentina. With all the donations from our friends and family in the United States, the center will be able to continue their nutrition outreach project for several more months, which I feel is very important. But I know that the community they serve still has many needs, and that we as foreigners can help them through donations and service. The children that I worked with don't have the same chances that I did growing up, but I can only hope that with the contributions from those of us who are able to spare some money, those kids can be safe, healthy and perhaps have a better chance in life
Brianna Keefe-Oates
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