I first learned about HelpArgentina while visiting my step-sister in Buenos Aires in November, 2005. After falling in love with Buenos Aires during that two-week vacation, I decided to spend five months in Argentina from October 2006 - March 2007. I wanted to work for a charitable organization, and knew that HelpArgentina was a good place to make inquiries. It was through HelpArgentina's volunteer branch, InsightArgentina, that I was able to gain placement with a wonderful health-awareness organization run by the incomparable Ana and Omar in the small town of General Rodriguez outside of Buenos Aires.
This organization aims to educate impoverished families about nutrition, health, and sex education, while providing a safe refuge from the streets. Ana and Omar run the small operation from their estate home and offer swimming, football, arts & crafts, language lessons, and other activities for the children. The mothers are taught how to prepare basic healthy and nutritional meals by paid cooks. It's a wonderful environment at the organization where the kids interact with volunteers from all over the world and cultural experiences are shared and exchanged daily.
One of the benefits of working through HelpArgentina is the opportunity to act as a Social Ambassador for the organization. While living in Argentina, I was able to raise a significant amount of money for this organization simply by emailing friends, family, and colleagues back home and spreading awareness about the noble cause. By including a few photos of the adorable children at the organization, people jumped at the chance to donate through HelpArgentina. Fortunately though, the effort does not stop there. Upon returning to the U.S. this year, a fellow volunteer and I co-hosted a small benefit in San Diego, CA to promote further awareness for HelpArgentina and to raise more money to help combat the looming bronchitis outbreak expected to hit the poorer areas of Buenos Aires this Winter. By being able to sponsor benefits back home and to easily maintain contact with fellow Ambassadors, HelpArgentina truly does offer its volunteers to really make a difference. And with hundreds of small partner organizations similar to the one I went throughout the country, I know I am not alone in my experience.
Kudos to the hard-working staff at Insight, and hopefully I will return for a visit to see everyone soon!
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