tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82984091196512120632011-12-12T11:21:26.615-08:00The Jon Report: Stories and Reflections from the grass-roots, Argentina.Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.comBlogger131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-2875575787382755032008-11-04T05:11:00.000-08:002008-11-04T05:37:13.586-08:00

Though there are signs that the major economies of the world have avoided economic collapse, evident economic concerns loom over the more developed economies and emerging markets and everyone inbetween. Repercussions of these macro-economic effects will affect our most vulnerable.The current situation presents a challenge and an opportunity for future volunteers in Argentina or anywhere for that

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-77942228920407211392008-07-22T08:21:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:12:20.740-08:00

As you have seen in previous blog entries, Crecer con Amor is having a busy 2008. Two volunteers, Charlotte Demole and Briar Loewen, organized events and raised donations that contributed to the construction of a new classroom at Crecer for the 4 and 5 year olds (blog entries in February and March 2008).As mentioned as well earlier, a former volunteer, Tammy Chen, enlisted her uncle, Amine

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-21209041841693055022008-07-22T07:05:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:12:20.876-08:00

18 Women Rugby players descended on Buenos Aires in early June 2008 for four days of volunteering with Virreyes Rugby club, located outside the capital in the district of San Fernando, Greater Buenos Aires. Virreyes Rugby club works in close collaboration with the Mother Teresa school. The school was founded to provide much-needed educational support and contention for the growing poulation of

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-71862907969518548412008-03-13T08:55:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:12:21.018-08:00

During the first week of March 2008, 11 Springbreakers from the University of Virginia, USA, descended on Buenos Aires and HelpArgentina to work with a member organization, Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family), to build "two new additions" to the small homes of two distinct families' in the greater Buenos Aires region. Arriving in Argentina on a Friday, these eager college students participated in an

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-62271856847413780232008-03-13T08:26:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:12:21.224-08:00

As of a little over a week now, Crecer con Amor is using its new classroom for more than 30 little four and five year olds.I know that Monica, the staff member who uses this new space, is extremely pleased with it. Its something she has been needing for at least a year now. Crecer con Amor is now starting its second construction of what will be a second floor addition. It will be used for

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-89099947321988377472008-02-14T06:47:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:12:21.456-08:00

As I have mentioned before, HelpArgentina works with a model that encourages foreigners, ex-volunteers, Argentines living abroad, and many others; to become 'Social Ambassadors' for organizations in Argentina. InsightArgentina, the volunteer program, has enjoyed great success since late 2006 working with ex-volunteers to raise money and awareness for their host organizations in Argentina. Further

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-91429679007824553282008-01-29T12:32:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:12:22.074-08:00

Though the name may sound corny to some when translated into English, it is certain that Argentina needs more organizations like Crecer con Amor! If each organization put forth the love and caring that this little youth-based community center does on a daily basis, Argentina would be transformed overnight.This small organization has a tremendous story. It has been built up from scratch by one

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-31867845864439458202008-01-29T12:22:00.000-08:002008-01-29T12:31:48.210-08:00

I have returned to Buenos Aires after 5 weeks in the United States visiting my family. I wish everyone the best in 2008.I started this blog in late 2007 with the prodding of others around me and my own interest. It hopes to touch on the many experiences, stories, and activities of our volunteers in Argentine ngos through my eyes.Up until now, we have heard about my background and reasons for

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-59552434148092585202007-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:12:22.199-08:00

Last week on December 5th, the world celebrated International Volunteer Day. I wanted to take this opportunity, though late, to thank all of the volunteers here in Argentina as well as the volunteers worldwide for their dedication and commitment!Some people take volunteering for granted and some people see it as nothing more than a "good" experience. Volunteering is and can be a lot more than

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-59125133249977397652007-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:002008-02-08T11:25:39.817-08:00

As a volunteer coodinator, I love riding the bus in Buenos Aires. I have spent hours and hours on the bus. But it was not always that way.When I first arrived in Argentina in 2003, I rode the subway. Buenos Aires has 5 different subway lines that I know of and one is currently being constructed. The subway is not that complicated, it pretty much runs in straight, parallel lines, from south to

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-53658614438899481912007-11-20T09:38:00.000-08:002007-11-27T08:50:10.492-08:00

At approximately 815pm on November 19, I received the email from the Turkish chess coordinator. I made the payment for Nahuel on our co-workers credit card. It was done. As far as we know, Nahuel is playing chess in Turkey and this story does in fact have a happy ending.The Nahuel saga teaches us a number of things. Here are my conclusions.I think that it is wonderful that our volunteers and

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-36241594864238266442007-11-19T08:35:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:12:22.704-08:00

Though this is just my second blog and I have a number of other things to write about, I am going to put them off to tell you about the saga of "Nahuel goes to Turkey."Nahuel Rojas is a 10 year old boy from the south-western part of the capital of Buenos Aires. He lives with his parents and his siblings in a low income neighborhood. Nahuel is a regular student at a small community center called

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298409119651212063.post-44540222388942477622007-11-13T11:45:00.000-08:002007-11-27T07:29:55.625-08:00

I suppose that it all started when I was born. But I am not going to bother you with my life story, I am going to relay to you what I feel and what I see here in Argentina. I am going to speak the truth and I am going to write about my experience, among others, working as a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit organization called HelpArgentina, located in Buenos Aires.Also, it is the hope that

Jon Teelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00000959869995671553noreply@blogger.com0