All the institutions at the 'Aguante la Cultura!' party

On Saturday, November 18th, a new edition of “Aguante la Cultura!” (Culture Rules!) took place. From 10 in the morning until 7 in the afternoon, neighbours came to this local party to join the various simultaneous activities: institutional stands, music, plays, the “Expression Corner”, workshops and an “open radio”.

Gradually, everybody gathered at the field where "El Campito" playground and at the Soccer Club work. Nineteen local organizations exhibited their work at the stands: schools, universities, chapels, mental institutions, and community centres.

There were folk dances performed by children and adults, rock bands, school plays and choreographies on the stage, and often the public spontaneously danced accompanying rock & roll or chacareras rhythms.

Meanwhile, at the workshops marquee issues such as eating disorders -bulimia and anorexia- male and female behaviour, including cultural and family precepts were discussed. At the same time, the Expression Corner was open for grown-ups and children to draw, paint, and use art to express their thoughts.

Towards the end, the "Neighbourhoods Cultural Caravan" arrived. For 15 days the Caravan travels across San Miguel, Malvinas Argentinas, Moreno and José C. Paz especially promoting the "Carta Popular". The "open radio", in which professional radio hosts collaborated, was present the whole day presenting shows and workshops, and interviewing institutions enabling them to present their goals, activities, their working routine, and inviting everyone to approach their stands.

And so the day passed off with a high quality neighbourhood party both artistically speaking and in audience participation, thus achieving a better knowledge among institutions and with nearby organizations, and contributing to make plans for potential future projects.

Social Promotion based on confidence and action

The Social Promotion Service has been helping the economically disadvantaged families of the neighbourhood for three years. Starting with the distribution of goods among these families, a teamwork methodology has been developed so as to foster their integral human development.

This methodology allows the groups to continue year after year and contributes to build a sense of belonging that helps neighbours speak their minds and discuss the issues they are concerned about, creating a space of intimacy where problems every family can be dealt with in detail. Moreover, the groups are led by coordinators, most of them ladies of the neighbourhood, which hold monthly evaluation, planning and training meetings.

As a supplement to food distribution, a flea market is held periodically, where people can buy clothes and shoes paying symbolic prices for them. “The clothes flea market are held the last Friday of each month and those who go to buy things there also help to arrange everything before and after the market is held—” says Fabiana, who is the coordinator of the Families Programme.

Men, on the other hand, voluntereed in different ways. For instance, they gathered some Tuesday afternoons to paint the outer wall and helped with other maintenance tasks. They were satisfied to take this initiative to give something in return for the help they received. We intend to further organize these kind of activities next year.
At the latest Wednesday meetings, groups have been arranging the Social Promotion end-of-the-year party, which will take place on December 20th. Ornaments where made, dances rehearsed and songs written. “These activities aimed to encourage people to get more involved and help them realize that everyone who attends these meetings is capable of giving something to the others” says Fabiana.