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ARGENTINA: Salesian Students Launch Service Project to Help City Kindergarten Clean and Repair After Flooding

(MissionNewswire) Students at the Domingo Savio Salesian Institute located in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, recently took part in a service project to give back to their community. The students cleaned and repaired the city’s kindergarten facilities after it was affected by floods that took place in the city in April 2017. Not only did mud and water enter the building, but the flooding also damaged the roof, forcing the school to suspend activities for two days, which stopped education for 20 children who attend the program.

“The floods hit us hard, causing the whole kindergarten to be flooded,” says Luis Goitea, the kindergarten’s director. “Unfortunately, this was quite devastating to our program and the children of our community. Now with the Salesian students’ help, there is a feeling of deep joy because this has shown me that we have really great youth in our community willing to give back.”

While the kindergarten efforts were made, students from the Domingo Savio were visiting homes and neighborhood institutions to assist people hit by the flood damage. The help was part of their “Experience of Service” project.

“Basically, we came to clean up and paint the children’s games and remove the piles of mud from the yard behind the garden,” said Ramiro Cárdenas, one of the students who participated in the activity.

Jorge Mango, who accompanied the students in carrying out the project, emphasized that the work was done voluntarily by students who help people however they can. Whether it’s to fix a fence, clean up or paint, Mango noted that the youth in the program are committed to giving back to their communities and those in need.

Salesian programs in Argentina are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in Argentina helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Programs also help to support poor youth and their families meet basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care in order for students to engage in their education and have hope for the future.

More than a quarter of the people in Argentina live in conditions of poverty with no formal employment and poor-quality education, according to the World Bank. The country’s high school dropout rate is close to 37 percent and youth account for a third of those unemployed. Almost 12 percent of children aged 5 to 17 are working instead of in school and 20 percent need government assistance. Many face malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sewage, and inadequate housing.

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Sources:

ANS – Argentina – What is the situation in Comodoro Rivadavia? A service experience

World Bank – Argentina