Whilst volunteering in Argentina for a total of three weeks, I would like to share a diary entry that I wrote soon after I arrived.

“Volunteers followed one another down the stairs and into a blue van. Simón, the driver, made sure the volunteers were securely in the vehicle before closing the doors and leaving for Ciudad Oculta, one of the city’s most notorious slums.

Through the window, we saw kids running around the villas unsupervised. The van finally arrived in the late afternoon, after an hour long drive. When we all got out of the van, an older woman led us into the heart of the villa. Another woman opened the door from the inside and invited all the volunteers inside. Not long after, children, full with energy ran around the room.

A little boy grabbed some crayons and began throwing them around the room. A volunteer went over and asked the little boy if he would like help with his homework. The little boy started off with some light hearted wheedling but soon he gave in and they both sat together over the boy’s books.

A young girl entered then, carrying her baby brother and holding a little toddler’s hand. Not even an hour later, the room was packed and co-ordinators were running around trying to make sure no chaos broke out.

Some volunteers were reading picture books with children, others were doing alphabet worksheets. Some kids actually came and asked volunteers for help with their homework and all the volunteers were more than happy to oblige.

I found out afterwards from one of the co-ordinators but only a few years ago, most of these children were failing their end of year tests and were held back in school because of it. Now they are much more confident and enjoy having help from the volunteers. I am happy to be here and be a part of it.”

This was such an amazing experience and I would like to thank Original Volunteers for the opportunity to allow me to volunteer in Argentina.

Posted in Argentina, Volunteer Reviews
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