Relatos de Viaje
Relatos
Typhaine Blehin
Ex Volunteer from France, in Eco Clubes Clorinda. Mid Term project 2007
This phrase is mine, and I say it often to people when they ask me about my trip:
“During these months, I worked, I gave a lot, but I received a lot more and from many people… this does not have a price”
What the people gave me in Argentina, is humanity, generocity, happiness, friendship, confidence and more, they are human qualities which I hope to have in my personality in the future, but also what I would like to share with my peers, thank you all.
… I shared my experience through a photo exposition which was a success (it was called “Nothing more… than a smile, a look at childhood in Argentina”). This exposition held a very strong and positive message about the life of the children in Clorinda. They are not just photos of misery, but also photos of smiles and moments of happiness, to show that they, in spite of everything, have strength, happiness and that we, in spite of having everything, complain and above all we do not feel happy. “There exists a World in which, in spite of everything, the people are capable of smiling – the Peques (a program in Argentina about fairy folk)” was a key phrase for the exposition and I remember a lot about Clorinda where I learned about the program. Its seemed important to me to say this through images and with words in a speech when I inaugurated the exposition, they told me its was very emotional, a friend cried but not of sadness and I almost did as I spoke of these children who mean so much to me.
Sarah Simon
Ex volunteer from the USA, in Villa Ana, short term project 2009
In August 12 international volunteers spend time in the Argentinean province, Santa Fe. The group consisted of men, women, people that spoke Spanish, people that wanted to learn Spanish, people who had never seen South America and people that lived there. During the two weeks in Argentina, the international group learned a lot about each other and the culture of this part of the country.
We worked in two schools, one in KM 41 and the other in Villa Ana. Both have many things in common (the children’s smiles, the work, the food, the feeling within the group etc.) but at the same time, there are many differences. The school in KM 41 is smaller than the school in Villa Ana, both the actual building and the number of students. The two weeks at the schools were productive and unforgettable. We were able to learn a lot about the culture, the people, the region and the typical day of the kids that lived there. I am a middle school teacher, so for me the comparison of the kids there to my own students is very interesting. In the end, each child, despite where they live want the same: happiness, love, food, support etc. This idea does not change worldwide. Nevertheless, my students could learn a lot from the kids in Villa Ana and also recognize the opportunities they have simply because of where they live.
All of the people that planned and worked on this project (especially Vicky, Regi, everyone at Subir as Sur and the Quebrachitos) are fantastic people! Because of the hard work of all the participants, the two weeks in Argentina were beautiful and worthwhile. I left with a feeling of sadness because I had just met these new friends, but with a feeling of hope to do more in my own community. It is because of trips like this that I want to continue to do volunteer work throughout the world. However, Argentina will always have a special place in my heart. I hope to go back soon!
Flor Cadorini
Ex Argentine volunteer, in Villa Ana, short term project 2009
It was very interesting to participate in the encounter in Villa Ana, on one side to share with people from different cultures an objective in common, and to organise ourselves to achieve this and along the way get to know each other.
On the other side the richness of sharing with children, first of all being timid, discovering ourselves through the tasks, the lunches together, then to not wish to let go of each others hands, to play without ever getting tired in the free time. The fight to take an image from an insignificant machine, pulling each others hair to all come out together. The games after class, the arrival of the students in the morning to help us paint. The magic of childhood allowed the moment to remain unforgettable, leaving evidence and teaching us about the strength of these children.
We mustn’t forget about the Quebrachitos, the youth group who have a lot of energy and who want to do things for their village, the card games, the talks, the film, to share a week in the school in the KM 41 all together!!!
After the trip there were many anecdotes to share, but the most important was to learn from the children, from the Quebrachitos, the encounter with other cultures, with the teachers, to debate ideas, share experiences, learn about alternative technologies, and food sovereignty and to share the vision of these intercultural encounters with Subir al Sur.
It’s very difficult to synthesize two weeks in these paragraphs, but I think it is important to highlight the importance of meeting and understanding TOGETHER.
Youth Group for Solidarity Action Quebrachito
Subir al Sur signified and signifies a lot in the life of Quebrachito. Together with this organisation we developed our first activity, where we showed the village our intentions to create a youth Group with a community and solidarity spirit.
Through these past years until this moment the link has grown and strengthened each time, taking forward important intercultural encounters/workcamps which are very significant for the village, but also in the consolidation of the Group.
During these four productive years and without loosing any years, there exist uncountable experiences, unforgettable anecdotes, and I don’t know how many daily stories which took place in each Project, activities together with the Group, together with young people from different places, together with the people from the village, etc. This part of the work is generally the richest part of all of the experiences lived, and whenever you reflect back on these experiences you are filled with happiness.
We would like to thank Subir al Sur for being part of our development which started in the beginning 2006 and which now at the end of 2009, hosts 20 young people which are totally involved and we continue projecting solidarity and integration as a creation and transformation tool.
Eco Clubes Clorinda
Working with Subir al Sur has opened doors for us and has allowed us to get to know great people, who really want to do things to make the World a better place, Subir al Sur has allowed the young people of Clorinda to share their experiences with people from other places, and has created links which will never disappear. For us this work we are developing together is very important, it allows us to grow, learn and generate actions for the common good. Thank you Subir al Sur!!!!
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