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La Paloma - tu lugar!

Just before my return flight I was asked to write an introductory text for the website of the volunteer program of the IERP. As I conclude on this page and a half fairly describe what La Paloma is exactly how I experienced my volunteering there in Argentina, I think it is reasonable and appropriate to end my blog with this text. GRACIAS POR TODO
!

"La Paloma-tu lugar! La Paloma-tu lugar! "
(German: La Paloma - your place")

This sentence is battle-cry of life, invitation and appeal at the same time. The children of La Paloma
stand on the sidelines, call him with all his might, to rhythmic clapping their hands and cheer So on their friends on the football field just defend the honor of the team.

The Children and Youth Day Care Centre "La Paloma", which is located in San Justo / La Matanza, children from poor and difficult social conditions are cared for. There, I'm doing, sent by the North Elbe missionary center in Hamburg, since August 2009 my volunteer service. If I am asked what we work for then due, I always answer: ". It tries to give the children what they lack at home" This could be practical matters, such as eating, brushing teeth, clothes, or things as a open ear, a hug, time and attention. The well-established daily routine in the project - food, showers, play, clean up - adds structure to the otherwise mostly of chaos and instability dominated the lives of children. La Paloma offers them a place free of violence, where they test their limits and develop. A place full of community, creativity, quarrels and reconciliation, which teaches all participants, both children, young people and staff, every day's New on the values of peaceful coexistence.
Also I've developed during my volunteer service in La Paloma. Started when I first my place, my job and most of all things work out in the project had my respect. At times I really needed a thick skin, for example to the jokes of the young people at the expense of my stand at the beginning still lack knowledge of English or the "We test-times-the-nervous-the-Germans-water fights in the bathroom can be. At some point, but then was the initial "trial period" on both sides over and I began to actively participate in the various groups of La Paloma, prepare activities and here and there to help out, if worst comes to worst was. Through daily work and regular exchanges with my colleagues, I have learned in the year, especially in educational, interpersonal level, a lot. My patience has grown by a few feet, now I can conjure in emerging spontaneously boredom 'n games out of the hat and easily read the mood of some children from a distance by their gait. I've also learned

to see things in a broader context. The children of La Paloma and their related stories, the problems and the injustices of this world, where a face. You show me where there is a lack of development of money, prospects ... But they show me every day how beautiful you can make the time together and that I have found my place among them. Wed encontre lugar!

Now I'll try to mean here to take lessons learned back to Germany. Since I was a volunteer for a year for the children as an ambassador from another world, I see myself now have a duty to exercise that commitment in the other direction, say, have everything here what I saw, learned and experienced to bring as ambassador to Germany and as far as possible, even with my fellow human beings there an awareness of a world to provide for one-our-site.

So if the children in soccer call in chorus: "La Paloma - tu lugar", then they fire not only to their comrades on the field, no, they call out what they have learned from La Paloma, La Paloma which means to them. They plead for a common and open cooperation, solidarity and friendship!

Merle Sievers

Net Height On Badmiton Net

end and beginning (?)

So my friends,
I'm back in Germany, my year in Argentina is over, so what is now the last entry to be on my blog.
Nevertheless, there to report some things that have happened in recent weeks.
Starting from my last short trip to Argentina, the trip to Mendoza. With my Argentine girlfriend Mayra I for 4 days in the small town was flying in the Andes. We visited several wineries, made trips to the mountains, stood with our feet in the snow and have a total of just enjoyed our last time together. Therefore, the separation was me a few days later, it also very serious because we got to know us through this journey straight to the final again really good. Mayra has helped me on one side, Buenos Aires to know better, on the other hand, I've met her many other Argentines, who gave me all together a different approach to the Argentine population. Therefore, it was for me an important person in the year and I thank her for her friendship!
me has to leave a letter written from which they wanted me to him in German translated and publish there. Quote: "I want your family and friends in Germany know how I've experienced here and what a great influence you have had here." No sooner said than done. Although the translation is a bit bumpy (in English of course, all sounds much more beautiful and round!), But here's Mayras Letter:

"The experience to explore together with Merle Mendoza, I will never forget, not only because we are this beautiful. province have met, but also because we have enjoyed the company of each other very much. On the one hand, we have seen the beauty of my country, on the other hand, Merle, many stories from Germany, and transfer it tells a piece of German beauty here.
We have many beautiful, but also shared some less pleasant feelings, but both have so gained in strength. Finally, we
had the luck to have had shared so many memorable moments that I could not fully described in words.
I write this text on my experience with Merle, so her family and friends can get an idea of what a positive influence it has had in my life since I met her in October last year. But actually, this letter is to be dedicated to her, so she never forgets what a special person she is. She has such a big heart, all enchanted and people to bring to trust her. She is honest, optimistic, full of fun and joy.
writing this makes me very sad because it reminds me that she will return in a few days in their country, which is away from my so far. Nevertheless, I thank
God with all my heart that our paths have crossed.
Merle, thank you my friend. You can always count on me. Your friend, Mayra "


After the short trip to Mendoza was the beginning of farewells. A time that was very difficult for me and gave me a lot of demands. It seemed to me as it would have given almost every day another "last time". The last rehearsal, the last and whistles with the cleaning woman, the last pizza at San José, the last WG-evening, one last time now when
Bolivians around the corner vegetables, the last time partying with the other volunteers, etc. There were farewells of persons, places, habits, of things ... and a farewell alone would not be so bad before, but in the last two weeks the entire deposition were of course all at once. On one side there is a very beautiful, because very intense, marked by attention to time, on the other hand, a very stressful time. In between I am then getting a little sick, but let me have aufpeppeln again soon. Long live the pharmacy!


farewell party with my choir



A tribute to the Free roommate and the best flat world!

The hardest by far was of course the departure of La Paloma. But who has gone reasonably well over the stage. Real name it was a normal day, as always ... with lunch, play football and normally scheduled activities. In the end, the children have given to me then Merienda a picture frame in which they had painted all the things they associate with me or things I've always done with the children (teeth brushing, showers, play, paint ...) I was decorated as a parting gift and a huge whiteboard covered with the best photos from the year. About this somehow normal and in the end a bit special last day in La Paloma, I am most happy!

Nevertheless, I miss La Paloma already. The day before yesterday was one of my colleagues have their first child and I know exactly how everyone is now terribly excited, consider gifts and celebrate it together somehow. Since I would be happy there!
But that's not possible - yet!
Now I'm only here once again in Germany, have received from my friends, my family, who loved me all Sun
And what's next? Well, I do not yet sooo accurate. If all goes well, I want to start the summer semester 2011 "Online-Redakteur/in" in Cologne to study. Until then I will hopefully make one or two internships in the area. I also waitress back in my old café and earn so little money, perhaps even a little bit to go to Germany and travel to visit friends passing away in different cities. However, I can not deny at all that my thoughts at the moment pretty much stuck in Argentina, I constantly draw comparisons between countries and am therefore a little strangers in their own country feel. My barometer is constantly fluctuating between "cool", "funny" and "lonely" ... Well, let's see what the time so with it.

At this point, I would like to thank again all who have enabled me to to make this voluntary service. I have in the year to get to know so much, may have seen and experienced so much and not least learned an incredible amount! I will try to continue the commitment of the year in Germany, I want to go to Kiel schools and talk about my volunteer service, I will try to continue to collect donations for La Paloma and last but not least my own thinking and action is now be shaped by my experiences from Argentina.
will One day I determined to return again in the land that I liked so well to the people who welcomed me so nicely, and not least in La Paloma, the place has meant to me most in the year, which has given me the most.

Last week I had my successor, the new volunteers for La Paloma met. Next week they get on a plane, just as excited and eager as I was then. This closes the circle ... I wish her all the best, a thick skin and an equally great year, I was able to experience it!
Thanks to all who think from time to time Blog read me and have so far accompanied pieces in my year. It's nice to know that we take the trouble of writing has not only made for themselves, but there was actually even people who have read my entries with joy, and some have looked at "only" my pictures. On a final feedback I would be very happy as I can to this day is difficult to evaluate who / how many have been following my blog actually. Write me a look! merlesievers@web.de
If anyone has an idea where or how I could tell from my year, he must also register you with me. I am grateful for every opportunity!

I wish you all the best for the future, your
Merle