We at Pacheco community Centre define ourselves as community builders. A community builder is someone who, instead of offering provisional help, gets to know a community and its people, its weaknesses and strengths. In this way, we build a strong relationship with each community. A relationship that lasts a lifetime.
A community builder supports a community and the individuals who are part of it, discovering what is strong about them and helping to work towards improvement, development and growth. We define ourselves as community builders because we work putting emphasis on the fact that no person is more nor less important than another and that we are all equals working together. Volunteers, coordinators and organizations connect and unite to achieve a common goal in local development.
In the Pacheco community center is emblematic of our
contribution to sustainable development and the environment, in order to
enforce sustainable development on a social and economic level it is necessary
to begin at the heart of the communities who need it most; it is through their
inclusive economic growth and the empowering of future generations that our
vision will be realized. Indeed, it is
our duty to fight for what we believe is the right way to live. If we want to
change the status quo, the youth need to feel capable and worthy of pursuing
further education and having the same access to job opportunities as those from
more privileged neighborhoods. It is only once this fundamental of equality of
opportunity is realized that humankind will be at peace and nature understood.
Where we work?
General Pacheco is a
neighborhood located northeast of Buenos Aires's Metropolitan area. It is about
90 minutes from the City of Buenos Aires, and 70 minutes from Ezeiza
International Airport. Pacheco is a residential neighborhood located in the
outskirts of Buenos Aires. Away from city noise and commercial areas, but
connected to the Buenos Aires city by bus, so it only takes 1 and a half hour
to be in downtown.
Suggestions about:
Money:
- ATM availability is generally good, but you should not
rely solely on using international debit cards to access funds. Be aware that there may be a limit on the
number of withdrawals you can make per day, and the amount you can withdraw on
each occasion.
- You should ensure you carry alternative forms of
payment, including a credit card (accepted in most major shops and
restaurants).
- At the moment, the value of the US dollar is in a
constant state of flux. Make sure to
check the rate of exchange before obtaining pesos.
Safety:
- The most frequent incidents of crime involve
pick-pocketing and bag snatching in the streets, taxis and restaurants. Distraction theft commonly occurs in crowded
public areas such as cafes, trains and bus stations.
- Keep a close eye on your personal belongings at all
times-- especially when carrying around important documents like a passport.
Transportation:
- Buenos Aires has excellent public transportation
including intercity trains, subways, and buses.
Purchase a SUBE card from any kiosco, and add funds to your card at any
of the designated SUBE kiosks, which are easily identified by a sign containing
the SUBE logo.
- SUBE rates vary, depending on the form of
transportation you choose. Subway rides
are currently at a fixed rate of $7 pesos, while bus fares may range anywhere
from $7.00 - $11.00 pesos.
- The subway does not run all night, like in other
cities.
- For a higher cost, taxicabs are easily obtained
throughout Buenos Aires. If you are
unfamiliar with the city and have trouble communicating in Spanish, we
recommend using ‘radio taxis.’
Our history
The founder, Valeria
Gracia, spent almost eight years of volunteering in a shantytown and there, she
thought about a way of creating a project that would allow to have a deeper
impact in the community. She thought about starting an organization that
promoted continued education and training in order to create greater equality,
and could, ultimately, empower people to organize themselves, be more involved
and creative in their community, to start participating in social activities
looking for solutions, defending their rights.
The NGO was founded in 2006
with many members of the community with a first objective when they saw a
window of opportunity for a mediating institution that would allow for a mutual
exchange between the local communities of Buenos Aires and foreigners eager for
a deeper insight into them. Initially we assisted in just one school support
project, yet gradually other organizations contacted us and were added to our
Network. Today we have added new objectives and founded our space, Pacheco Community Center.
Fundings are always used
toward making improvement for the communities we work with. Towards the end of
2014, we took the decision to create and construct a new community space for
ourselves and the organizations with which we work.
Who are we looking for?
We consider volunteering to be a two way process in
which the exchange between the local area and the volunteer is cultural too. It
is also important that we recruit open-minded volunteers with professional
skills, abilities and experiences and place them in whichever project suits
these talents most. Consequentially, their impact on the community in which
they are working can be maximized. For example, those studying education in
their home countries are likely to be teaching English whilst our recent
Psychology volunteer position is tailored for those with an interest in that
field. Below we have summarized the kind of volunteer positions that we offer,
all of which work towards our vision of greater social mobility.
