2ARCO PROJECT – ARGENTINA LITTORAL REGION
The 2ARCO Distance Support, which since 1989 has been helping the most vulnerable families in the coastal area of Parana, Province of Entre Rios, was launched in 2006 by AFN in collaboration with the local section of the Work of Mary/Focolare Movement. The Casita Estrella social centre, so named by Chiara Lubich, is here so that, like the Comet Star, it guides and enlightens all those who go there. The aim of the project is to promote the integral development of minors, through the organization of literacy and school recovery courses, and periodic medical examinations for children between 6 and 16 years old, as well as professional courses for their families.
DEFINITION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
Argentina is still marked by severe economic crises which, despite being a heavy legacy of past dictatorships and subsequent weak democratic governments, reached their peak with the default of 2001. Since then, however, the situation has not improved, and not only because of the harsh impact of Covid: the real economy is stagnating, foreign debt is increasing, and this is accompanied by galloping inflation, estimated today at 142%. The consequent measures imposed by the International Monetary Fund to remedy the situation, however, contribute to intensifying the dramatic effects on the population. In fact, despite Argentina ranking 49th out of 187 countries in the Human Development rankings, more than 57% of the population – or 27 million people – live in poverty. This effectively means that the middle class no longer exists, or has been greatly reduced, since even those who work with a stable contract do not earn enough to counter inflation, which erodes people’s purchasing power, and therefore fall into the poor segment of the population. The latter also includes 40% of workers in the informal economy, excluded from any manoeuvre aimed at improving wages.
.The province of Entre Ríos, despite having abundant economic resources, has sectors of the population considered among the poorest in the country. The main causes are the high percentage of juvenile delinquency, unemployment, low wages and social exclusion
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
The Argentine Republic, located at the southern and eastern tip of South America, occupies a large part of the Southern Cone. It has an estimated population of 45.8 million, of which 45% are under the age of 18. The province of Entre Rios is in the Argentine Littoral region, which is characterized by considerable natural wealth and great agricultural production potential. Entre Ríos is one of the provinces with the highest electricity production, but not sufficiently exploited, due to the inadequacy of public policies. As a result, the region is severely lacking in infrastructure and primary services to citizens, such as education.
This results in both a high rate of school dropout (8% in primary school and 24% in secondary school) and juvenile delinquency (4,000 convictions per year).
This results in both a high rate of school dropout (8% in primary school and 24% in secondary school) and juvenile delinquency (4,000 convictions per year).
COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT
The Casita Estrella is located 20 km from the city of Paraná, in the province of Entre Rios, It consists of a room for school support with a library and 3 computers, an interview room, a room for dental check-ups, a small shared kitchen that is used to prepare the snack offered twice a week, and an entrance that connects all the spaces. The staff of the centre today is made up of 15 people, many of whom are volunteers, including: 2 dental technicians, 1 psychopedagogist, 8 teachers and educators, 1 catechist, 1 coordinator and 1 SAD contact person.
IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- · Literacy courses for children and adults
- – School recuperation courses
- · Provision of medicines and basic dental care for children and adults
- · Professional courses (cooking, pastry, sewing)
- · Multidisciplinary workshops for minors
- · Recreational activities for children and adults organized twice a week during the summer
- · Training for families on issues of community interest twice a year
BENEFICIARIES OF THE ACTION
The direct beneficiaries are about 70 families, in which there are 30 to 40 minors under the age of 18. These are extremely vulnerable families, who live in precarious housing and sanitation conditions.
ACTIONS
- • Support for the project
This is an ongoing commitment to support a food, educational, educational and health and hygiene programme aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.
- Donations
These are free-flow payments, in support of a food, school-training and health and hygiene programme aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Support for the project. Please contact the coordinators in your country to confirm the annual amount and payment details.
Reason for payment “New SOP 2ARCO- Argentina Region Litoral” and in subsequent payments “renewal SOP 2ARCO-Argentina Region Litoral”
- Donations –Reason for payment “Donations progetto SAD 2ARCO- Argentina Region Litoral”