Year 3, Volume 3: National Office

Community Mobilization

At the beginning of September 2006, Habitat for Humanity Argentina organized “The Strength of Volunteers” Resources Fair, with participants from the 4th Annual Volunteer Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Argentine Red Cross, “Asociación Civil De la Nada”, “Ingenieros por el Desarrollo”, “Asociación Civil Microenergía” and “Fundación Sagrada Familia”.

The various HFH programmes in different countries in Latin America had their own stands; Manuel Mancuello from HFH LAC gave a talk about “International Volunteers”; Gustavo Sampayo from the Argentine Red Cross gave a presentation about “How to Develop the Participation of Volunteers”, and Marcelo González, corporate volunteer for Novartis, shared his experiences as a “Corporate Volunteer”.

The Fair was held on the beautiful grounds of the United Community Church (UCC) in Acassuso. In addition to allowing us the use of their halls and garden free of charge, the UCC also invited us all to an excellent “Asado”. The “Asociación Civil Microenergía” also contributed to the evening by exhibiting its innovative Solar Oven “Inti-Raymi” donated by the Bourne Rotary Club, England, which was used to heat the traditional Argentine “empanadas”.

One of the evening’s highlights was a show given by the traditional folklore group “Los del Camino.” The group once again demonstrated their commitment to HFHA´s mission by delighting everyone present with their music and performance.