Salta Projects Update

Salta, Argentina Projects

Here is a quick update on my projects in Salta.

I have been to a small school in the country twice now. (Link below) The first time I went, the idea was just to help with English, but the second time I was reminded how much the teachers need an assistant - someone to help resolve conflicts, stop fights, teach positive emotional lessons and spend individual time with kids who are coming from emotionally dysfunctional homes. I have been making progress in getting volunteers from the backpackers who are constantly coming to Salta. I want to teach both English and EI types of skills to the kids, mostly by example.

I have been working on my www.saltainfo.com page slowly but surely and in the process I am making a lot of contacts in hostels. One hostel, the Salamanca hostel, has tentatively given me their endorsement of my projects and we may do something like a joint venture or start an official foundation (NGO) here. But if we don't do it officially, it looks like we will still work together informally.

I am going to use some of the money which Kel donated to hire someone to work for me part time. I am in the process of interviewing people now.

I tried to get the free hugs campaign going here but haven't gotten very far with that. One of the responsibilities of the person I hire will be to get that organized. Another will be to coordinate teaching English and getting volunteers into the neighborhood centers in Salta. Each neighborhood has what they call a Centro Vecinal where it is possible to teach English, EI skills and computer skills during the summer vacation, which starts here in one week.

The kids are really interested in my computer. At many schools around Salta they are still not learning to use one. Here is one pic of kids using my laptop.

They are looking at a picture of the school director shoveling dirt to make a flower garden in front of the school. This is one of the things I like about this school director. He has good ideas and gets involved himself. Here are a few more pics but my connection died before I sent all the pics in, so I will update this link later more pics.