**this post is part of a series of post relating to our volunteer program. In each post our volunteers share their experience with you**
Buenos Aires is a city that never sleeps. I knew this before coming to Buenos Aires. I quickly learned that if you want to make the most out of Buenos Aires, its best if you embrace the late night dinners and early morning Spanish classes, or in my case, train rides.
I have decided to volunteer during my time in Buenos Aires, as well as take Spanish classes. I believed that if put myself out there, into an unfamiliar environment, the struggle to communicate would help my Spanish. It would be "real-life" practice. Working to get your point across to a group of youngsters is not like working to order off a menu.
My volunteer placement was arranged for me before I arrived. I was pleased to be able to "get started" right away with a placement that was hand-picked by HelpArgentina for me based on my interests. It was a perfect match. I am volunteering at Alimentar Enseñando. Alimentar is a community center that promotes education, nutrition and health through rural development projects and a daily soup kitchen that educates mothers on healthy nutritional habits for themselves and their children.
On the days that I go to the center, I wake early and head to Barrio Once to take the train to Moreno. The train ride takes about an hour, then I hop on a bus in Moreno that heads toward General Rodriguez. I hop off the bus, cross the street for the short walk to the center, (I am in the country) as I round the corner I begin to hear the voices. Its only 10:15 in the morning, but its going to be a hot day. I hear the voices of close to 40 children playing, and waiting with anticipation. I open the main gate and the stampede begins.
¡Seño! ¡Seño! Hay clases de natacíon? Pileta! Pileta, Pileta!!! Primero los ochos!! ¡Seño! ¡Seño!
Seño could be short for both teacher and also Señora, I have asked the kids many times what it means, but the answer is always different. One things for sure, I hold the key to the swimming pool, and "los clases de natacíon" are a highlight of the day.
I was placed as a volunteer at Alimentar because I wanted to be able to work both with children and also in public health and community development. Upon arriving at Alimentar on my first day I noticed that the center, which is a converted Estancia had a swimming pool. I decided that I would teach swimming lessons to the children that come to the center everyday.
I teach in groups of five or so, depending on age. Usually my groups consist of the "chiquititos", who are the children '5 and under'. I continue with the 6 & 7's, 8 & 9's, 10 &11's, followed by the 12's, 13 & 14's and then finally the over 14, or as I call them, "los grandes". On a typical day I teach 7 different groups over the span of 2 1/2 hours.
On the train ride back to Once, I carefully pick the perfect seat, a seat that faces backwards, has a window that opens to optimize the breeze and has a place for me to put my feet up. And, when the "Helados Helados" man comes by never think twice about buying an ice cream.
** To learn more about Gateway Argentina's volunteer programs you can read about them on our website. **
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