Sharing a Dream

Sharing a Dream

Most weekday afternoons and a rare early morning I take a bus from my city to the small locality called City Bell to my “work site”. My program is a facet of the Lutheran church yet my work is not; I volunteer at a non-profit called Compartieno Un Sueño, a grassroots community center that focuses on children and their families regardless of faith or political alignment. The name of this dynamic organization translates to Sharing A Dream which, coincidentally, represents my view of missionary work very well. I am here to witness, learn and understand; not to push or force my views on anyone.

Compartieno Un Sueño serves around 50 families living in poverty. When I explain my work to people from the U.S., I compare it to an after school program. The space is open weekdays from 9 in the morning until 7:30 at night and each day hosts different workshops. This includes sessions like homework help, ceramics, cooking, art and music, and dance. There is also a certificate program for adults to finish their primary school education that meets once a week. Every day at 5:30 it is time for merienda which is something like snack time as most Argentines typically do not eat dinner until after 8pm. All are welcome to stop by for a snack and something hot to drink during cold months. 

When I speak to people here in Argentina, I call it a comedor, a place people can receive free meals. Besides the daily merienda every other Saturday families come to receive dry goods for their home. I have helped prepare the many bags of flour, noodles, beans, oil and cans of food and I am shocked at how many people are fed by CUS.

In my struggles of knowing so little of the language, lacking knowledge of my workplace is one of the most frustrating. From day one I felt warmly welcomed and wanted; yet I did not fully understand the history or purpose of the program. It has taken me a long time to piece together information of the relationships between the people, the roles they play in the organization and the realities of the hardships of the community. I’m am embarrassed to say it took me almost 2 months to comprehend that everyone was volunteering their time!

Counting fingers and helping each other with math during Apoyo Escolar

Compartieno Un Sueño was began by one woman over ten years ago in response to the need in her community for children to be fed. These children on average had one meal a day at school and went to bed hungry. Paula Gil renovated her garage into a space for nurturing and nourishing; creating a fairly large, multipurpose room and adding a kitchen and bathroom. Today, the walls are brightly colored with artwork and the space is jam packed with books and supplies.

The mission began with addressing hunger, starting with a daily snack then later adding food for dinner that each family took home. But soon another need became obvious: along with food there must be other nourishment that allows each child to be a full person.

I am still figuring out what this means. I know that the children live in poverty; that crime, drugs, violence are all problems in their community and families. Some of their houses are lacking flooring or glass windows and have walls and a roof made out of scrap materials. I know that the children are labeled as bad kids just for where they come from - and, unsurprisingly, they often behave that way. That the stereotypes are sometimes fitting; I know kids with sunny personalities and adequate school supplies and kids with attitudes, rough edges and wearing yesterday’s dirty clothes. Kids who are called dangerous by people who ignore that it is the kids' living situations that are the real danger.

My lack of understanding has made me cautious in sharing my work as I am afraid to misinterpret or convey wrong ideas. However, perhaps even if I spoke perfect Spanish I would still struggle to decipher the nuances of the context. Because when I think of discussions of poor neighborhoods of Toledo, I think of the disagreements and discord. I think of the radically different views in terms of societal and personal responsibility and general lack of comprehension of the causes of poverty that are deeper than income.

As my understanding of castellano grows, so does my understanding of both the basic and the complex. In the meantime, I will continue witnessing, participating and being myself.

This week it is full on summer vacation so the workshop for homework help has been turned into games, art, and reading. I helped with tie-dying, played Jenga (or whatever they call it here), and decorating the space for Nochebuena (Christmas Eve). I know all the popular hand clapping games, most which are variations of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' and once tried to translate one of my own which was met by confusion. I am excellent at Veo-Veo (I-Spy) because it involves pointing but the spelling in Ahorcado (Hangman) gives me problems. I also eat merienda with the kids, something that no other adults seem to do but I guess it’s fine.

I do not need fully understand in order to be present. Through participation and relationships I can share myself with these amazing people as they have shared so much with me.

Kids everywhere love balloons! Here they drew faces on them :)

The girls who study social work at the university brought the balloons, games and smiles

(Extra)Ordinary

From my own terrace was the brightest rainbow I have ever seen!

I am living a year of my life in South America and it is an adventure.

Some people may be imagining me in a jungle, surrounded by parrots in lush, rich greenery and living in a charming, albeit bug-infested cabana. Or maybe in the breath-taking mountains surrounded by llamas and the depths of the landscape. Perhaps you have a picture of me in a chaotic metropolis full of lights, colors, people and the music of cumbia in the air.

While there are occasional parrots and tropical birds, pigeons are the ones who sit on the rooftop terrace with me. Argentina is home to tropical green lands but in northwest a long 16 hours by bus to the providence of Misiones. I have not yet visited the terrain of Patagonia, a 22 hour bus ride southwest, but I am told it is more beautiful than the photos. Not sure yet if there are llamas.

Calling a medium-sized city home, I am happy to say La Plata is full and colorful. This city is known for one of the largest universities in the nation; stylish young people fill the streets, speaking lunfardo (Argentine slang) and wearing trendy platform shoes. Ironically, I am building a cumbia argentina playlist as I type (hopefully with all the classics).

Argentina is incredibly diverse in geography, climate and culture per region which sparks a curiosity within and a desire to explore. During the vacation season I plan to visit both Patagonia and Misiones to see some of the strong diversity of the country.

These plans of visiting new regions are a big deal. They bring to mind the spirit of adventure. Something unforgettable, daring, and maybe a little crazy; experiences or sensations that make our hearts pound and blood rush.

You may be surprise to learn that those intense emotions often come to me in daily life as opposed to my more exotic travels. When I am a tourist, I gladly accept being an outsider because I know I am a person visiting for a few days before continuing on my way. No, it is my identity as a foreigner and my everyday living that stimulates the excitement and anxiety of adventure.

Appearance wise, I may or may not look Argentine depending on who you ask. The color of my skin or hair does not completely make me stand out as a foreigner as there are many rubias, blondes, from European descent but some have said since I am very blonde I do stand out. Perhaps my style of clothes make me as outsider but what really marks me as foreign is my use (misuse) of language.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the moment I begin speaking people instantly know I am a yankee (which they pronounced shan-kee).

On good days, my simple sentences get the point across although with strange word choices and a strong accent. But many times, I cannot be understood or cannot understand what is being said to me.

I enter the fiambrería (deli) a few blocks from my house. The girl on the other side of the counter is nice and there is no one else in the place so I feel more comfortable, knowing that I usually hold up the line. I ask for mozzarella but she pulls out bleu cheese. Even though words like cheddar and mozzarella are the same in Castellano (this dialect of Spanish), I have to point to the cheeses because my accent is so peculiar. Also, I do not know how to say how much I want so I just motion with my hands. I leave the store feeling good of the positive interaction; I am fortunate that the girl was patient and interested in where I am from rather than annoyed. I am not always so lucky.

Living here for four months now, there are a certain set of stores I visit out of proximity; 4 different almacéns (small grocery stores), one large supermarket and an inexpensive produce place near my work. Argentina is home to numerous small businesses so I have talked to all the people who work there and even the family owners. I try my best to form connections but my limited vocabulary plus the internal pressure to be friendly usually means I stick to the conversation template I have practiced. Also, I typically do not understand what they say to me so many of them have stopped trying to start conversations.

There are many kioscos in my neighborhood which are like corner stores where you order from a guy at a window. I have only stopped there with friends because I have strong anxiety of asking for what I want. Sure I can say 'Un Sprite por favor' but I don't know how to ask for which size and when I get nervous I forget my words. Not only can I not ask politely but sometimes I can't ask at all! Only recently do I feel confident in my numbers and I have stopped giving people the wrong amount of money.

More Difficult Daily Situations:
1. Not having GPS or a map to get around
2. Asking for directions
3. Understanding directions given to me
4. The fear that someone will ask me for directions
5. Being spoken to by a random person - usually I don't understand so I say 'no lo se' or I don't know

This all may sound bleak but the optimism that is such a large part of my personality typically laughs about it, shakes it off bad experiences and treasures the positive interactions. When I feel frustrated or depressed, I remember that challenges, internal and external, promote growth and development in people. Plus, daily my language skills are improving and I am proud at my growth.

For me, the big adventure does not lie in the wonder of the places I visit or the number of cities I encounter. Every day, every interaction holds adventure. It can be high anxiety and downright scary at times but the thrill of having a full conversation, understanding and using humor, and constructing a life here is daring and exciting its simplicity.





Interested in learning more about this program? Know someone 21-29 who would be interested in a year of international service? Please visit Young Adults Global Mission. Applications are open from December 1 until February 15!