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Texas Co-eds Spend Spring Break Helping Argentine Jews
From March 12-20, 2006, 24 students from three Hillels in Texas traveled to Argentina, where they joined their peers from Argentina Hillel to refurbish a Jewish community welfare center, paint a hospital children's room, and celebrate Purim with children at-risk. The following is a first-hand account from Jenna, a Junior at the University of Texas at Austin:
While other students spent their Spring Break vacations skiing on the Rocky Mountains and relaxing on Caribbean cruises, I spent my time in Buenos Aires, Argentina on an Alternative Spring Break trip sponsored by the University of Texas Hillel and JDC. Our group of 15 students from UT was joined by members of the Houston and Texas A&M Hillels. In 2001, the Argentine economy collapsed bringing more than 60,000 Jews below the poverty line and more than 40,000 Jews in need of assistance. The Alternative Spring Break program was designed by JDC to address the needs of the Jewish community in Argentina, as well as help in their relief work efforts. Before leaving for the trip our group made a goal of collecting clothing, supplies and toys as well as raising $5,000 for the Buenos Aires Baby Help Center. The Baby Help program is designed to provide at-risk Jewish children and their mothers basic materials and social support; help them meet the children's health care needs; and improve parent-child relationships. Through various fundraising projects, including a Latin American Dance Party, our group was able to raise over $7,000. While in Buenos Aires we had the chance to visit the Baby Help Center and deliver seven large duffel bags full of clothing, supplies and toys. We were given a tour of the Center and the chance to spend time playing with the children. Being there was a wonderful experience. The moment I stepped into the classroom, a young girl walked up to me and immediately became attached. The Director at the Center told me that the little girl was new to the program and needed lots of TLC. It was a great feeling to know that this young girl trusted me, and that I could comfort her, even if it was for just a few hours. Before leaving we presented each of the children with their own stuffed animal that we brought with us from Texas. Our main volunteer project took place in a town called Moisesville, known to the Jewish community as the "Jerusalem" of Argentina. This small town of nearly 2,000 people — approximately 450 of them Jewish — opened their doors with welcoming arms to our group. While there we repainted the children's wing of a small hospital with energetic Disney characters and vibrant flowers and balloons. The group also refurbished the town's welfare center, as well as repainted doors, windows, walls, and furniture. We brightened up the center by painting a colorful mural in the courtyard and adorning the center's main room with a quote: "Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh B'Zeh" — all Jews are responsible one for another — in both Hebrew and Spanish. There were many opportunities during our trip to connect with members of the Jewish community, and to listen to their stories of struggle and strength. We were able to see how the Centers we visited provide communities with tools to better their lives. As a group we have made a promise to the Jewish Argentine community that we will continue the quest to generate awareness of those still fighting to survive following the economic crash, as well as to raise funds for the Baby Help Center and other centers we visited. August 2006 |
