Uruguay 2012Tara, Marjan and Kristen do: Montevideo San Jos
Campamento Artigas Punta del Este Colonia del Sacramento
Montevideo Our Uruguayan Y familia. Omar, Augustn, Tara,
Marjan, Kristen, Adrian, Jess.
MontevideoMargarita provided Tara and I with a place to stay
while we were in Montevideo. She also provided us with cake 24/7
and gave us the recipe when we left.
Montevideo1)1.3 Million people/3 million cows. They eat a lot
of meat!2)Capital of Uruguay.3) Official language is
Spanish.3)Average summer temperature 28C which feels like 40C with
the humidity. Most places do not have a/c. It was hot!5)We spent
the first 5 days in Montevideo exploring the city and the different
branches and programs of the ACJ (Asociacin Cristiana de
Jvenes).6)We also spent a lot of time BBQ-ing.
MontevideoACJ CentroA 7-story building with 2 pools, a fitness
centre, courts, several basketball gyms, a salon, theatre,
university, social media department, and administrative offices.
The main function of the downtown branch is to provide a recreation
facility for people, promote the core values between staff and
members, and provide programs such as fitness classes, swimming
lessons, day camps and leader courses. There is another location
that is considered a part of the Downtown branch from which social
programs and created and carried-out.
Montevideo The day-camp centre at the Downtown branch.
MontevideoLa Teja and Piedras BlancasOne of the biggest social
issues in Montevideo is people lacking skills to be able to enter
the work force, and therefore are left unemployed. La Teja and
Piedras Blancas are branches dedicated to helping people acquire
skills such as using computers and making resumes. Another issue in
Montevideo is that a lot of students are not succeeding past grade
6 (in a 9-grade program), and less are graduating. These two
branches offer homework and studying support. Another program that
Piedras Blancas runs is a business program in which youth make
pencil cases and tote bags to sell. The proceeds go towards the
cost of supplies. This program allows the youth to be creative,
gain skills and do something positive with their time. These
satellite branches are further away from the city centre. For some
individuals, access to needs such as seeing a doctor, is limited.
At each of these branches there is a doctor, a nurse, a
psychologist and a sociologist to help provide basic needs.
Montevideo Las Piedras Blancas Branch
MontevideoACJ PortonesLike the Downtown Branch,Portones is
focused onrecreational youthprograms.
MontevideoBBQ PartiesA common gathering spent socializing and
eating lots of meat. This party was organized by Jesus and his
family to unite the youth involved with the ACJ.
MontevideoMore BBQ-parties!
San Jos1)Population: 40, 000 or so.2)Separate from the ACJ
Montevideo3)One HFR branch and a Casa4)HFR branch has 1 pool, 1
basketball gym, courts, a fitness centre and an outdoor living area
(for classes and BBQs). Programs are similar to Montevideo; There
are fitness classes, swimming lessons, day camps and leader
courses.
San Jos HFR Facility
San JosOutdoor Yoga
San JosOutdoor Pool
San JosLa CasitaSocial programs are for children and youth.
They consist ofhomework and studying help, providing breakfast and
after schoolnutritious snacks, a place to shower and brush their
teeth (as manyof the children that come to the facility do not have
clean water intheir homes), and an organic garden where youth grow
vegetablesand use them to make meals and snacks. There is a
childrenscoordinator and a youth coordinator, alongside a
psychologist,sociologist and nurse. The main focus of this branch
is to empoweryouth and give them the skills to succeed through
school, as well asprovide them with basic life needs. The programs
are funded by thegovernment, and the Casita facility was funded by
Winnipeg. Theywant to purchase the land beside the building to use
as an outdooractivity area. It will cost them approximately
$8000.00.
San JosLa Casita
San JosThe San Jose Crew
San JosHaving a snack with the kids at the Casita
San JosMany kids who come to the Casita do not have
runningwater or clean water in their homes, so they take showersand
brush their teeth there.
San JosCarla the CEO of the San Jose ACJ, with Tara
andMarjan.
Campamento Artigas-Provide adventure, relaxation and fun for
children, youth and adults-20 regular full time staff (maintenance,
kitchen, administration anddirection).-The leaders (and leaders in
training) run the show in terms of runningactivities and taking
care of the campers.-Open 24/7/365-Rental camp-Can hold up to 400
people-Zip-lines, Boating, Canoeing, Swimming, Climbing walls,
Parks, Sports,Games, Dances and more.-Very rustic camp. Start a
fire to have a hot shower, hammock beds.-Family Camp-Tradition!
Soup, Camp fires, Meal time and intros, Night games anddances.
Campamento ArtigasThis was the bus we went on to Camp with the
6 leadersfrom San Jose, 40 kids, 2 drums, a tambourine and
amegaphone for singing.
Campamento ArtigasOn our way to camp, a heard of cows decided
to comestampeding towards the bus!
Campamento ArtigasOur cabin!
Campamento ArtigasDining hall
Campamento ArtigasWarming up thewater for showers.
Campamento ArtigasThe 3km beach!!
Campamento ArtigasActivities at Camp!
Campamento ArtigasZiplines!
Campamento Artigas
Campamento ArtigasSan Jose groupLeaders wereAwesome!!!
Campamento ArtigasPopi- The camp dog
Campamento Artigas Family Camp! Summer 2012 Mayan Theme
Campamento ArtigasArts and Crafts during family camp
Campamento ArtigasParks and Sports
Punta del EsteAfter the first week, Tara Marjan and I went to
the beachtown of Punta del Este to get to know each other.
Punta del Este
Colonia del SacramentoAt the end of our stay at camp, we got to
visit the town ofColonia del Sacramento, which was an old
Portuguesecolony.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento
Highlights of the Experience The most important part of the
trip for me were seeing how strong the leaders wereboth from
Montevideo and from San Jose. It was really amazing to see 15 and
16 year old youthhave the confidence and ability to care for and
entertain a huge group of kids for 3-5 days. Theirenthusiasm and
level of involvement with the ACJ was rejuvenating and reminded me
that I am apart of a great organization. Another very important
aspect of the trip was that even thought we were thousands
ofkilometers away from home, because we were involved with the ACJ,
we felt at home. Adrian,Jesus and Margarita took care of us very
well, and took us into their families. Because of them wemade many
friends. Margarita felt like a long lost friend to both Tara and I,
we would often havelunch together and end up sitting at the table
for hours afterwards talking about our lives, etc.The emphasis on
the demonstration of core values between staff and members made us
feel wewere in a familiar place. It was really interesting to learn
about the social programscreated by the ACJ to help individuals
transcend through social issues. The coordinators at the Casita
suggested that we connect our youth so they can haveexposure to
each others cultures. I hope this is something we can possibly
launch. Experiencing Uruguays country and culture was amazing.
Uruguayans are a livelyand humble people. We got to see 4 different
cities and spend time at the beautiful CampArtigas, which was
basically a retreat. I was surprised at how safe I felt while I was
in Uruguay. Culture shocks- Surprisingly the food was very similar
to what we eat here, thelanguage was not a barrier for me either.
Some challenges were trying to bare the heat, andwaiting until 9pm
(at the earliest!!!) to eat dinner.
A message from Agustin SilvaWe are very proud of our
long-standing relationshipwith the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg. Although
we arenot able to contribute to the relationship financially, weare
eager to contribute in other ways.