Day trip to the Childrens' Museum

El pasado sábado 28 de agosto, como regalo y motivo de celebración del Día de los niños, fuimos de paseo al Museo de los Niños! (http://www.museoabasto.org.ar/). Los chicos y voluntarios jugamos a ser conductores de radio, de colectivos, médicos, banqueros, arquitectos, periodistas, etc.! Recorrimos todos los juegos y espacios de aprendizaje, y no pudo faltar un partido de futbol en la canchita del diario Clarín, donde los chicos muy orgullosos jugaron con sus remeras de Unión de los Pibes. Los chicos se divirtieron muchísimo y los grandes volvimos a ser chicos. Muchas gracias a Laura Castro (Guía del museo) por habernos invitado a pasar una tarde inolvidable!

On Saturday 28th August, as a treat to celebrate Childrens' Day, we went to the Childrens' Museum! The kids and the volunteers pretended to be radio presenters, bus conductors, doctors, bankers, architects, reporters etc! We went round all the games and learning zones and we couldn't leave without having a game of football on the little pitch at the museum, where the kids played proudly in their Union de los Pibes football shirts. The kids really enjoyed themselves and the older ones enjoyed being kids for the day! Many thanks to Laura Castro (Museum Guide) for inviting us to spend an unforgettable afternoon at the museum!

Paint for the Pibes

Every week for the past couple of months, Malu (a volunteer from Colombia), has been running art therapy classes for the kids at the club; helping them to express their feelings and develop their individuality. Here are some photos from her latest class.

Another volunteer helps out during the class...

Everyone hard at work...

Keeping an eye on the best materials....

Trying a change from the usual Boca colours...

Thanks Malu!

To see some more photos from the club see our flickr set

tortas, fútbol, dibujando y cantando .. solamente otro día en el club

A day at the Zoo!

Last Saturday, we made the most of a cold, sunny Buenos Aires winter's day and headed off to the zoo. We met at the club in Barracas at 11 and after having had the rules read to us, we all jumped on a Number 12 and headed across town to Plaza Italia and the zoo.

The 5 volunteers and 11 kids had a great day out, saw lots of animals and everybody really enjoyed themselves. Below are some pictures from myself, Chris, Sarah and Jacinta.

Lunch for the little ones

Feeding the goats
Self Portrait
The Gang

Vicky enjoying the day out
Are those your sunglasses?

Yeah, pretty sure those aren't yours either

All of Chris & Sarah's pics can be found in their Flickr set here

Club Athletico de los Pibes

The 'Club Union de los Pibes' football shirts were a big hit with the kids - they raced away to try them on even before we could give them the books that we had chosen for each of them and the older kids insisted on having their photographs taken in their new shirts.

Of course, they were all very interested to find out who had the number 10 shirt... That went to Javi (a local volunteer who leads the football sessions) and I think that was a wise move!

We hope they enjoy the books too but, given the lengthy conversations about team tactics that followed, I think it may be a while before they get around to looking at them.

We bought the shirts and the books as leaving gifts for the kids - we wanted them to have something of their own that they could take pride in. We hope the shirts will serve to remind the kids that they will always be part of the 'family' at the club and if the books help to spark an interest in what life has to offer beyond their own troubles so much the better.

We'll miss them and we wish them all the best for their futures. We would like to thank all the new volunteers in advance for their support in helping them achieve this.

Chris and Sarah

Thanks for the Frames

Many thanks to Shelby and Mia who taught the kids how to make origami photo frames. The pibes loved them and it was great for them to have something to take home and show their families.

New Stuff!!

The happy chicos with supplies (new stationery, maps, snacks, footballs (of course) and teaching aids amongst other things) purchased with just some of the money raised at the recent fundraising events - the quiz night and gig evening. Many thanks once again to all those who donated and contributed to putting on the events. The kids were very happy and grateful for all the new materials.

Doing it for the kids

I had been looking for a volunteer project in South America for a while,when I found Club Union de los Pibes! I was really attracted to the programme not only because of what they’re doing in the community, but because it was one of only a few volunteer programmes without any participation fees!

Buenos Aires was my first stop in South America, so my Spanish was still VERY basic! However, I still had a great time doing arts and crafts, playing games and teaching the kids English!

I was only at the club for a month, but I had a great time and it definitely made my Buenos Aires experience all the more worthwhile! The kids and the other volunteers really are fantastic, so if you're in the area and you've got some free you should definitely check it out!

Mandy

Volunteering in Buenos Aires

I had been travelling for a while and decided to spend a few months in Buenos Aires and look for volunteering opportunities. I came across the Club Union de los Pibes blog and have been volunteering there for the past month and a half. It is a great opportunity to get involved in the community, meet new people and practise Spanish. The kids are great and helping them out with their homework, teaching them some English, playing football with them and learning about their lives is good fun and very rewarding.

If you are going to be spending some time in Buenos Aires (and why wouldn't you?) and can commit a couple of evenings a week, then your help would be greatly appreciated and I am certain that you would enjoy it. And, unlike a number of volunteering projects in Latin America, it is free and all you need to give is your time. Should you have a couple of months to build up a relationship with the kids and get to know the people working there then please come along.

Chris Oliver, London

Volunteering with Club Union de los Pibes!

My name is Hannah, I´m 23 and from England.

I started volunteering at Club Union de los Pibes in January 2010 and I have just left to go travelling around Argentina. I loved the opportunity to get involved in the local community, meet the fantastic kids and practice my Spanish of course!

During my time at the club I helped with 2 fundraising events, which were great fun. If you´re willing to work hard and make a real commitment to the club and the kids I definitely recommend Club Union de los Pibes as a great experience in Buenos Aires.