Personal Stories from Argentina:
Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
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The First Energizer Distribution – Ricardo Rojas School, Argentina
Approximately 150 km from the bustling city of Cordoba, surrounded by dusty, rural hills, lies the small town of Soto where we made our base for two days. The terrain in the region is rugged, with desert-like conditions. Here, families travel mostly by foot, horseback, or motorcycle on dirt roads. The team made its first distribution of solar lights to the students who attend the Ricardo Rojas Elementary School, which is 15 km from Soto … |
Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
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Pedro’s Story
Pedro is a 6-year-old boy, with startlingly large eyes that seem to take over his entire face. Pedro’s father is a Puestero, or ranch hand, that tends to goats and the sheep, warding off foxes and pumas that are common in the mountains. Adriana, his mother, takes care of the three children. Pedro’s family is looked down upon because they are Puestero; here, it is better to have less, than be a Puestero … |
Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
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Mauricio’s Story
While visiting Ricardo Roja’s School, we met Mauricio. Mauricio at 11 years old, is the youngest of five children, Vanessa, 22; Ivana, 20; Celeste, 17; and Maria, 12. Once he has completed his elementary education at the Ricardo Rojas School, his only option for higher education will be in Soto, an hour away from their village, where the monthly tuition will be approximately 300 pesos … |
Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
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Laura’s Story
Every day, 10-year-old Laura makes her way to the school on horseback. She has a two and half hour trek over the craggy ranges before she gets to her school at noon. School runs year round and the children have no holidays. Like all the students at Ricardo de Rojas, Laura is expected to wear her school uniform, a long white coat over her clothes … |
Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
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Facundo’s Story
Facundo is 10 years old and lives with his grandfather, Raul Godoy, so that he can attend the local elementary school. Facundo loves living with his grandfather and likes school very much. Facundo’s brother, 6, sister, 5, and parents all live in Soto where the parents have jobs and the young siblings attend a pre-school … |
Partners in the field
A.P.A.E.R. – Making a difference in a child’s education
APAER works with a wide range of schools throughout Argentina. Their goal is to help students complete their primary grades enabling them to have a brighter future. One of the schools that APAER works with is Ricardo Roja’s located in the small community of Represa Morales. Most of the students who attend the school do not have access to electricity or running water. These children will travel three, six and even thirteen kilometers daily by foot or horseback to get to school. APAER hopes to make a difference by giving these students the tools they will need to complete their primary education.
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