August in San Luis

Submitted by Alan Ralph on 4 August 2009 - 9:19pm

I have settled into my work in San Luis at this stage. The comedor ( soup kitchen) is located in a poor area of San Luis and that is where I go each day to work. The food is prepared for the families of that neighbourhood by about twelve workers. Due to the restrictions of the swine flu people can’t stay in the comedor to eat food, instead they come with plastic containers to bring the food home.

The children haven’t been allowed to play here recently due to the restrictions but a few kids still hang about the place each day. They were given plenty of homework to do as the schools were closed for quite a while due to the Swine flu. I tried to help them out as much as I could and it was interesting seeing the different subjects and materials they study. Today the schools finally opened again. Normally the kids would come to the comedor after school to play football, do arts and crafts or do homework but at the moment the ceiling of the building is being painted so once that is finished the kids will be allowed back in.

Quite a few people are talking about the “Dia de los Ninos” that being children’s day. In Argentina there is a day for everyone, father’s day, mother’s day and even children’s day. It is on the 16th of August and it will be a big day in the comedor as a big party will be held for the kids. Plenty of children are expected to attend and so we will be organising games and activities for them. I think they will also be having some nice food and plenty of sweets to keep them going.

It was quite cold here a few weeks ago and it even snowed one morning. At the moment the weather is nice and warm, but it still gets quite cold in the evening time. I am enjoying my time here and the Argentinian people are really friendly and always very helpful and good fun. The next few weeks should be interesting as the kids will be coming to the comedor each day and we will be very busy.