Brazos Abiertos Mag #1

A program impulsed by:

The goal of this magazine is to show the main activities performed by the “Brazos Abiertos” Program. In this edition we focus on the 2023 summer axis.

When I first came to Brazos Abiertos I was really scared and somehow shy but, as time went by, I begun getting to know the coaches and the way they are…very cool guys and girls, also got in touch with the rest of the kids of all ages and then the very cute female cooks. They cook very delicious meals.

I am, and always will be very grateful for the invitation we all received in this gorgeous place where all the children and teenagers have a good time. I also enjoyed all the good things and the nice company. We all were always welcomed in a friendly way .To tell the truth, it is here that I learned many useful new things. I also was amused by being near the coaches and the rest of the kids.

Many coaches left, but I will always be with me, I do remember them every year. Some are gone and then some new ones arrive. We learn and have new activities; sometimes we repeat activities from previous years.

I love all the activities they teach us. It's very nice and quiet here. To me IS EVERYTHING. I've met many people. I´ve made many friends… girls and boys. Always had a great time. I miss a few friends that don't come anymore because their cycle in the program ended, mine will also end and I won't come anymore.

I will never forget my entire childhood and my adolescence years sharing this great and beautiful place: Open Arms.

Cintia / Adolescents Group.

Open Arms comprehensively addresses the child labor problem and the strengthening rights of children and adolescents in vulnerable situations within the rural tobacco area of Argentina.

MUSIC AS A TRANSFORMATION TOOL

One of the activities performed this year had to do with rhythm based on Funky Rap. We began working with our bodies and then adding batucada instruments such as: peal and redo. As days went by, harmonic instruments were added: keyboard, electric bass and electric guitar. We formed a simple harmonic base in order to sing a song composed by the teen-agers from the rap and cuento (story)work-shop. Children and adolescents were very interested in playing instruments and getting the concentration needed to be part of an instrumental team.

Our experience has been positive, we learned some of the popular and folk rhythms of our region and from other Latin American countries, rhythms such as: huayno, candombe, murga, zamba and others We have been accompanied by percussion instruments (peruvian zamba, cajón peruano, drum, timpani drums, drummer) strings (guitar and charango) and winds (sikus and recorder), picked (guitarra y charango) and wind instruments (sikus and recorder). Connecting with these rhythms makes us one with our roots and our identity. It is also a way to train children and teenagers, not only in the artistic level, but also in the political level,generating critical thinking in children.

Emanuel, music professor, Tucumán.

Lucas, music professor, Salta.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Every child has the capacity to decide, choose, question, dream and change the social reality.

CHILDREN’S PROTAGONISM

Emphasizing the way that each of them may influence social changes.

PERSPECTIVE GENDER AND DIVERSITY

Every program activity is presented promoting equality, with due respect to diversity.

2022 / 2023 GOAL

400 children and adolescents, daughters and sons of rural laborers signed-up for this period, all of them belong to the rural tobacco area. In the province of Tucuman children of rural workers of other crops were also part of the program. We reached over 60 rural producers in these 3 provinces.

2022 / 2023 GOALS

To promote and secure the rights of children and teen-agers exposed or going though a vulnerable situation of child labor and social vulnerability in the tobacco rural areas. Addressing this problem in a comprehensive way considering the participation of different sectors.

My body allows me to play : )

My body allows me to: Play. Eat. Travel. Jump. Draw. Dance. Sleep. Walk. Fish. Work-Out. Talk. Climb. Write. Read. Bike riding. Sightseeing. Stretch. Swim. Have my own arms. Have my own legs. Have my own head. Exercise. Play with balls. Sing. Stride.

I take care and value my own body when I: Eat healthy food. Wash it. Drink lots of water. Exercise. Run Outdoors. Go to the dentist. Run again. Brush my teeth. Walk again. Get vaccinated. Go to the doctor. Play soccer. Wear warm clothes. Drink milk. Eat well. Exercise or dance. Try not to get hurt. Eat tasty things.

My body is mine and I do not allow anyone to: Hurt me. Hit me. Pull my hair. Kick me. Hit me playing soccer. Be violent with my body. Force me to play. Touch me. Stare at me. Rape me. Force me to do what I don´t want. Insult me. Push me. Hurt me. Send me to work in the field.Watch me. Call me nicknames.

HOW ABOUT THINKING THAT OUR BODY IS OUR FIRST HOME LAND?

2023 Activities

These period´s activities within the scope of the Open Arms project, were a success. From January 2nd up to the 24th of february every participanting child and adolescent eat breakfast, lunch and a afternoon snack from monday to friday between 9AM to 05PM, at the following locations: El Carril (Salta), Ovejeria (Jujuy) and La Cocha (Tucuman). But this was just the beginning.

Workshops designed to fulfill the needs and the acquisition of skills for different age groups included fun activities such as radio, sports, puppets, music, theater, hip-hop, literature, muralist painting, art, sculpture and dancing.

Besides, this year in Tucuman, philosophy workshops were added, thus generating an ideal space to share experiences, problematic situations and improve the individual and social realities. This workshop resulted in a series of three emotionally charged podcasts in which children and teenagers spoke about important subjects such as fears, work and death. The fact that children and adolescents could share their thoughts and feelings with their mates and the Open Arms team, was truly inspiring .

A workshop on literature storytelling was also organized for all three participating provinces. Children and teenaers designed and got involved with the cover of their own franzine that included their wishes, dreams, stories and legends of their neighborhoods. This initiative not only enhanced their creativity, it also promoted to express themselves in a very unique and significant way.

On top of all these exciting and emotional activities, Open Arms was careful to reassure that everyone did receive the school supplies needed to start school confidently. We know how important it is to have all the necessary school supplies. It's fundamental to reassure the right to education. We are proud to support our kids and adolescents in their educational growth.

Of course, it wasn’t all work and study. At the end of the program all children and teenagers enjoyed days at the pool and typical carnival activities in all three provinces where they shared fun and laughter with their friends and mates. Watching happiness in their faces, knowing that Open Arms contributed to their personal and emotional growth is exactly what drives us to continue to work to give them a safe and welcoming environment.

In few words , 2023 Open Arms was successful in all fields, educational as well as recreational and emotional. We feel deeply grateful to be part of the lives of these children and teenagers and await anxiously for the next year to continue giving them our support and love.

INEQUALITY, LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES AND RIGHTS IS THE REALITY THESE BOYS

AND GIRLS GO TROUGH. THIS IS WHERE WE START.

MO

VE

MENT

RECREATION AND LEARNING

3 AXIS Each summer, and coinciding with the intense tobacco harvest season and school recess time, three new spaces are opened in each province in order to welcome children and teenagers between 4 and 18 years old, all of them sons and daughters of rural tobacco laborers. In these spaces they enjoy being part of recreational, artistic and cultural activities aimed to guarantee their rights and to minimize risks of child labour.

3 AXIS

STRNGTHENING OF THE EDUCATIONAL WORK

Sustained actions are generated throughout the normal school year of elementary and high school educational establishments in the tobacco field areas. The objective is to strengthen the educational period and reassure the completion of those two stages.

3 AXIS

STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

This goal is achieved by implementing community and network strategies. We also conduct Trade Training activities and manage startùps for productive small business.

JUJUY

The program took place at the Ovejeria location in a Monterrico County`s shed. Thanks to available funds we could hire a bus service allowing us to transfer over 50 from the 25 de Mayo neighborhood children to El Milagro in Ovejeria. This bus service was indispensable to reach good results getting the sons and daughters of rural tobacco workers to be part of the program.

SALTA

As in every year before, it took place in the park of Alliance One Tobacco Argentina. The bus service allowed to bring children from farms as far as 1.6 miles away.

TUCUMÁN

The program took place at the Dr. Mario Bravo school located at Los Pizarros, La Cocha. This school has a forest park, galeries and a halls. This allowed us to work in all activities in open and fresh spaces. Choosing this location essential to the assistance of 120 children and adolescents that could easily walk to the site.

MU RA LS

THE FOLLOWING EXPERT HANDS WERE PART OF BRAZOS ABIERTOS PROJECT AXIS OF SUMMER 2023:

JUJUY

Workshop leaders

Pablo Ezequiel Quispe

Juan Carlos Mamani

Silvana Leonela Coria

Carlos Alberto Cruz

Rosa Analia Perez

Daiana Aylen Siles

Kiara Alexa Troncos Fernandez

Noelia Veronica Martinez

Maria Alejandra Carnero

Kitchen and cleaning staff

Jesica Silvana Suarez

Pamela Del Carmen Chuchuy

Vanesa Betiana Idalgo

Yanina Fernanda Yurquina

Coordinators

Luis Agustin Gomez

Florencia Antonella Segovia

SALTA

Workshop leaders

José María Martinez Veronelli

Martina Lucena Morales

Jazmin Anahí Rodriguez

Julio Edgardo Nuñez

Constanza Rocio Guemez

Federico Kuhn

Carlos Ariel Crisol

Luciana Lucero

Lucas Sebastian Vilte

Marco Elias Ibarra

Veronica Huanca Jaime

Cooks

Raquel Flores

Auxiliar staff

Monicar Irene Ruiz

Jose Rodrigo Gomes

Ivana Elisabeth Rivero

Coordinator

Juan Sebastian Aciar

TUCUMAN

Workshop leaders

Elizabeth Viviana Ferreia

Emelina Farias

Julio Alcaraz

Carlos Suarez

Andrea N Diaz

Andrea Corral Cruz

Maria Mercedes Lizondo

Mariana Salvatore

Maximiliano Guaraz

Juan Ferreira

Emanuel Godoy

Ivan Ortiz

Coordinator

Gustavo Mendoza

Cooks

Anibal Andres Zarate

Auxiliar staff

Ema Sabrina Aguilar

Analia Sabrina Carabajal

Mariel Rodriguez

Program coordinators at foundation level

Adriana Saccheri

Jose Luis Cortez

WE ALSO THANK:

Renatre Delegación Tucumán (registro nacional de trabajadores rurales).

Secretaria Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia SENAF - Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de la Nación.

Municipios de El Carril y Chicoana en la Provincia de Salta y con el Municipio de Monterrico en la Provincia de Jujuy.

Ministerio de Educación de la Provincia de Tucumán.

A program impulsed by: