People living in the San Pablo district in the Argentinian province of Buenos Aires have little chance of escaping poverty. To give children and young people the chance of a better future, the Lechería Education and care. This includes hot meals, homework help, support classes, educational and leisure activities and psychosocial support. Connexio develop has been supporting this work for many years.
Florencia de Miguel has been accompanying children, young people and parents in difficult situations for more than six years. Sometimes the children start a conversation: "Flor, we need to talk to you!" Or a difficult situation arises, unplanned, in one of the youngsters' rooms. "Then I postpone everything I've planned for the morning until the afternoon, because I talk to the two pupils first and maybe involve the families." If a teacher has a problem with a child, they work with them. If she doesn't see a child for a while and doesn't hear from them, she visits their home and talks to the mother. She documents all interventions. Sometimes she takes part in the children's activities or works together with a psychologist with teenagers and young people on a topic such as "peace".
"Everyone at the Lechería shows enormous dedication," says Florencia de Miguel. "We are going in the same direction and the only goal we have is the children and their families. That's what motivates us. And also that we have a population here that lives with many problems. If I can solve or support even just one situation - because often you can't solve it, but at least I can support it - then I'm happy." That could be a school situation or a situation of violence, or a difficult economic situation."
Poverty has risen sharply in Argentina in recent months. Families who previously got by on social welfare are now facing difficulties. "We see that some of the children eat once a day at school and in the evening when there is something at home. We're also noticing that more bananas are going missing." Some people are looking for work and can't find any. "And there are people who, you could say, have never had a culture of working and have chosen to live that way. If they don't work now, they don't have enough food. And sometimes I have a bit of trouble understanding that. Because these are people who are young and healthy, who could be working." Sure, as a social worker she can make suggestions and help write CVs. But ultimately it's the other person's decision.
What do you find special about working with children? "That it's more difficult. When I work with adults, I say to myself: good, the adult can make decisions." With children, their situation is sometimes dependent on decisions made by adults. Sometimes the adults make difficult decisions. "Then you can't help. Sometimes you have to deal with your own frustration." It is also special that children are often very resilient. "But yes, it's still more difficult. Because you have more responsibility."
There is a lot of violence in the neighborhood. Gangs fight each other and the children hear gunshots early in the morning. They internalize these experiences. "It's important that they can talk about what they experience here and also see that the not is the normal thing. That what is happening is not good," emphasizes Florencia de Miguel. Violence should not just spread like that, not in the neighborhood and not in families. There are also children who exhibit violent behavior. "Sometimes they realize after a while that it's not necessary to act like that here. Because they are respected in a different way here."
The children then start to change their behavior. "But it costs them something. Because many of them have been shaped by their treatment and behavior at home since they were very young. It's very difficult for them to understand that we don't shout at each other here. But with respect, there are very small changes. Not for everyone, but there are changes." So she can be optimistic? "Yes, I think so. But it's not easy. There are many examples that show the complete opposite of what we want to teach them here. But I believe that we still have a positive influence on them. And I have hope when I have conversations with the moms and dads and say or suggest something to them. I realize that they are listening. And they take something, something on board."
I support that!
The "Lechería de la Solidaridad" is a safe haven for around 300 children and young people, which their parents and their environment are often unable to offer them. Here they can develop their skills and practise how to get on well with each other and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Connexio develop, Zurich, CH44 0900 0000 1574 7157 9 "Lechería de la Solidaridad, Argentina"
