Quilmes

Today we woke to a very relaxing morning of regaining lost sleep and shopping for the girls with cards and steak sandwiches for the boys. It was a very valuable morning of unwinding after long flights and hard work.

However, this did not last long. After a train and a bus we arrived at the enormous estate being used by the salvation army to house street kids and provide a safe space for them to come together. While we knew this was a poorer area of the city there were still some large buildings nearby and it had a bit of a nice suburb feel, despite the glass and barbed wire on the fences. However, when Innes (the Salvo's officer looking after the house) took us for a walk down the road we encountered a level of poverty that none of us had experienced before.

Within walking distance of these estates and skyrise buildings we entered the slums at Quilmes, the mud roads were littered with piles of rubbish that local children would sort through to find useful materials that could be sold. Dogs and chickens wandered freely throughout the area. The people lived in mudbrick and corrugated iron. the whole area smelt of the piles of burning rubbish that had already been sorted through. I know I felt quite overwhelmed as I first began to experience the slum, I didnt know how i would be able to relate to these kids who had lived entirely different lives to me and spoke a very different language.

When we returned to the Salvo's building we found many of the kids we had spoken to in the slum had already made their way there. Playing soccer and volleyball or climbing through the playground they seemed just like any other group of kids that you could find. When we went to join them they seemed reluctant to let us join, the boys playing soccer in particular seemed very against us joining the game, untill corrine's translating let us know that we simply had to wait untill the next game, meanwhile it was discovered that the smaller kids were more than happy to be your best friend at the small price of a piggy back ride to the fence.

Finally the boys were allowed into the soccer game. we were ushered all to one side and given one local to join our time against all of them. Despite losing the first game 3-1 we put up a fight against the argentinians and proved that Aussies had their worth. Despite not being able to say more than Si throughout the game we emerged as amigo's and shook hands with the whole team with big grins all around.

We discovered that despite the circumstances the kids are full of joy and great people, all it takes is for people to reach out to them. It will be a long time before i forget these kids and i hope they will not forget us.

A big thanks to Corrine who was the only translater for the whole day and did an absolutely fantastic job of it as well.

Ben B

Dock Sud - Day 2

Hola followers!

Today encompassed the second and final day of our extreme makeover of the school 46 hall. Due to the presence of curious children, yesterday's work was decidedly slow and thus we arrived early this morning so as to finish the job. We then found out that the teachers at the school were on strike and so the school was empty of children, and the painters therefore had no excuse to slack off. The hall was painted much earlier than anticipated (and to a stunning standard, we will be piloting a renovation franchise upon our return) so we headed over to marcelina and marcelinos for a delicious lunch with actual salad (the leafy kind) the wonderful team that had accommodated us then gave a speech expressing their appreciation and acceptance of us into their family, to which we replied in the only Spanish word we knew to express happiness "gracias"(but we Said it passionately) we gave a similar speech expressing our deep gratitude, and we departed with too many cheek kisses to count (at least not on fingers) after an epic battle of tastes between Ben Merrick and Darryl Kelshaw, burgers were served for dinner and Ben emerged victorious. 

The only announcement we have is that the phone is not functioning at this time and if you need to contact us please do so via email, the blog or through the hotel.

We thank you for your diligence with the blog and faith in us doing what we do over here, and appreciate your prayers,

Buenos noches!
Chloe 

Dock Sud, BA

Today we caught the sardine subway to Retiro and met Gerson our guide from BAICA, who is their school counsellor. We then caught the bus to Dock Sud and walked to Marcellena and Marcelleno's house where we were introduced to their family in Spanish, Gerson then translated for us! The family runs the local community centre from their house. Once we met the family we took a scenic tour to the school.

Once we arrived at the school and met some of the students and had photos with them. Then we got into maintenance work in their hall by sanding the walls ready for painting. We then went to Marcelleno/a's house for a typical argentinian lunch. We think it was veal parmagiana with rice and potato's. The servings were huge and the boys had to help out with finishing off the girls meals. After a nice lunch we took a detour and helped raise the Argentinian and Cape Verde (many locals immigrated from Cape Verde - off the coast of Africa) flag to half mast for the first elected democratic leader who died recently.

Once we arrived back at the school we began painting the edges of the walls in preparation for a hard day of painting tomorrow. We really enjoyed the day and mingling with the children, playing soccer with a water bottle and getting to know a different culture and a day in the life of the Marcelino family and their community outreach.

Love Me and Se (Megan and Sarah)

Buenos Aires International Christian Academy

Hola!
Today marked our first full day in Argentina! We have already found ourselves immersed in the Argentinian culture waking to a continental breakfast consisting of cereal and chocolate cake. Ready and fuelled to go we headed to Buenos Aires International Christian Academy across town on public transport which proved to be an interesting cultural exerpeince! Venturing onto the subway at morning peak we squished onto tiny subway carriages filled with thousands of people before hopping on another 45 minute train to Verreyes where BAICA was located.

BAICA has approximately 130 students from years K-12 and were very welcoming giving us a tour before letting us take Australian geography classes in Year 4, 5 & 6. We spent time teaching all the students about unique Australian animals and iconic landmarks. We were also invited to lead chapel services for Primary and Secondary where we played games, sung songs and encouraged them to remember the love of Christ.
It was encouaging to have all the kids singing along to the gospel songs! The teachers have also offered to take us on a city tour on Saturday which we are all excited for :) The kids were all very friendly and wanted to know all about Australia.

The language barrier has proved a small obstacle for us with ticket officers and other strangers not being able to understand us leaving us with 15 rides rather than 15 tickets! All good fun however and it has been great to see God's protection over us as we travel and negotiate our way across the city.

Adios!
Darryl

BA, Argentina!

We all arrived safely (despite the airline food) and are now in the hostel in Buenos Aires. After exploring the streets near where we are staying we discovered a great pizza restaurant : D 

We are all pretty tired from the jet-lag, but Buenos Aires is amazing. The hostel is pretty hip and happening. We are looking forward to what tomorrow will bring with the Buenos Aires Christian Academy.

Caitlin xxx   

Sydney

On the plane and ready to go! Thanks to all the family and friends who came to see us off. Only 20 hours to go! :)