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In Argentina, 40% of the population is below the poverty line, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC, 2021). Since 2021, Mensajeros de la Paz Argentina has worked on creating opportunities for hundreds of children, adolescents, and older people in vulnerable social situations, providing direct care in our centers and homes, community strengthening programs, volunteering and artistic training, and social inclusion workshops. In addition, we promote social awareness and action by working with underserved communities and engaging various institutions to ensure the complete realization of everyone´s rights.

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International volunteering programme:
Mensajeros del mundo

Messengers of the World is our international volunteer program through which we seek the training of young social leaders from all over the world committed to change and social transformation.

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Local volunteering programme

The Local Volunteer Program offers you the chance to be close to those who need it most and, at the same time, gain experience in social causes. In this way, working for social transformation, we generate and multiply opportunities for everyone.

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2017: Together we do More

  • In the year of our 15th anniversary, we held the First Dinner to benefit our projects at the Palermo Hippodrome. We also have the special participation of Father Ángel García Rodríguez, President and Founder of Messengers of Peace.

  • The event’s main objective was to promote educational programs and provide tools for social integration for more boys and girls from vulnerable neighborhoods in the CABA and Province of Buenos Aires. Thanks to everyone’s support we raised $438,392.

  • We travel to the Malakasa camp, located 40km from Athens, Greece; with the aim of bringing help and hope to the more than 700 refugees assisted.

  • Graciela Gilona, ​​Director of the Colibríes Home for girls and boys from 6 to 12 years of age who were exposed to complex situations of violation of their rights, is declared an Illustrious Citizen of the Municipality of Almirante Brown.

  • The Ministry of Social Development of the Province of Buenos Aires declares of Provincial Interest the actions carried out by Father Ángel and Messengers of Peace.

  • In addition, the Honorable Chamber of Deputies of the Province of Buenos Aires declares the 15th Anniversary of Messengers of Peace Argentina to be of Legislative Interest

2021: We multiply opportunities to transform reality

After the pandemic and isolation, we remain firm to be close to those who need us.

  • We rebuilt the San José Home for the elderly thanks to our Network of Godmothers and Godparents, hundreds of people, companies and organizations, who joined us to restore the San José Home after the building damage caused by a falling tree.
  • Together with officials from the Nation and the Almirante Brown Municipality, an agreement was signed for the incorporation of Hogar Colibríes into the National Plan against Hunger and the purchase of food. In addition, the agreement promises long-term building improvements to the space and maintenance of Hogar Colibríes.
  • Inauguration of the new headquarters of the Educational Strengthening Project. We created a new headquarters in Floresta to accompany more girls, boys and adolescents in their education, providing tools that allow them to access better opportunities.
  • More than 300 people ran, walked and danced to benefit children’s projects in the second edition of #runwithme. 385 runners from all over the world, 1,559 kilometers, 9 days and $1,097,260 raised to multiply the opportunities of 800 girls, boys and their families in Argentina.
  • Organization of the first “International Virtual Conference on Mental Health”. 200 people from all over the world joined to exchange tools and experiences on mental health in the context of the pandemic with professionals, professors and students from different partner institutions.
  • We finished a new Training Course for Home Caregivers that provided professional training and various tools for the care and accompaniment of older people to 23 students.

2020: The challenge of caring in a Pandemic

The health emergency brought the importance of care to the forefront and we faced COVID-19 and isolation so as not to stop being close to those who need us, prioritizing comprehensive care for participants in centers and homes, the protection of workers and the development of innovative initiatives accompanying more than 3,000 people.

  • We established a constantly updated institutional protocol that prioritizes health care, cleanliness, and hygiene for greater safety and protection in all our projects, especially in the San José Home for the elderly, one of the most vulnerable populations against the Coronavirus.
  • In addition, we transformed the La Balsa center into a center open 24 hours a day to care for cis and trans girls and women living on the streets.
  • We reinforce the measures to contain and protect the girls and boys of Hogar Colibríes.
  • Our Community Strengthening programs worked in a virtual modality and was a bridge between the socio-sanitary and food needs of families, assisting with the delivery of food and food, accompanying the pedagogical continuity of all participants.

2019: Messengers of Peace is always

  • We began to work in coordination with the National Program for Home Caregivers, an important national program that aims to train qualified people to care for the elderly population in our country.
  • Dafne Schilling launched her new project “Intention in Movement” with two yoga classes at the Palermo Hippodrome. All attendees collaborated with donations of school supplies for our projects. Dafne also wanted to visit the Colibríes Coexistence Home, where she held a yoga class for the girls and boys in the home.
  • Within the framework of the International Day of the Elderly, we held, for the third consecutive year, our Annual Fundraising Event. For that day we also carried out a campaign on social networks that had the objective of raising awareness about the elderly, active aging.
  • Meanwhile, in Spain, under the banner of Helping Us Get Closer, we held the first Cocktail to benefit our projects in Argentina, which raised more than €20,000.
  • We continue to work with allied companies, with whom we were able to transform our projects and within the framework of the National Day of Corporate Social Responsibility, we held an event together with WeWork.
  • To mark the end of the year, we organized an outdoor lunch at Hogar San José for our Godmothers and Godfathers. In this way we were able to thank them for all their support during 2019, give them a tour of the Home and share a pleasant summer afternoon.

2018: We Continue Helping, We Continue Transforming

  • Thanks to the “Back to School Campaign” campaign, we obtained supplies, food and study material to accompany the education of more than 200 boys and girls participating in the Educational Strengthening Program.
  • We held our 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner at the Palermo Hippodrome. In a very special night full of emotion, fun and solidarity, we raised funds for the Community Center in the New Álamos neighborhood of Longchamps, a space that receives daily more than 100 boys and girls together with their families.
  • We are part of the COAS Fair of Nations. More than 10 companies made their contribution to raise funds for our Centers and Homes.
  • We carry out 10 different plays and art shows hand in hand with the Program for Social Integration through Art.

2016: United by the commitment to transformation

  • Messengers of Peace Argentina is a representative of the direct attention organizations in the plenary session of the Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
  • We founded Hogares en Red. It brings together all the CABA Institutions that work with Children and Adolescents.
  • We implement new methodologies for our educational projects developing in Flores, Barrio 31 and Longchamps.

2014: Even closer to childhood

  • Together with Metrovías and Subterráneos Argentinos, we launched the “Niños Solidarios” campaign to bring toys to centers and homes in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
  • Hogar San José receives the Third Age recognition from the Province of Buenos Aires on its 80th anniversary and is celebrated in style.

We keep growing together

  • The Hogar de Día de Flores becomes a Day Club incorporating a staff of professionals to achieve ideal multidisciplinary care for the elderly people who attend.
  • That year, Amalia Luna, a resident of the San José home for the elderly, traveled to the Vatican with a delegation from Father Ángel to meet Pope Francis.

2014: New vulnerable contexts challenge us

Messengers of Peace arrived with its vice president, Father José Vicente, and a group of volunteers to Barrio 31 to offer their help to the Cristo Obrero parish. There we met Father Willy and decided to stay to collaborate with different projects in that community.

We founded the School Support Workshop in Villa Lugano, expanding the scope of our Educational Strengthening Program.

2012: With art as the engine of integration

  • Our first projects of the Social Inclusion Program through Art began. Since then we have promoted various artistic projects that aim to promote the integration of different population groups through quality artistic and cultural activities in order to contribute to their full development, to the recovery of their self-esteem , and the exercise of their rights.

  • In addition, we received recognition from the Buenos Aires Legislature for 10 years of solidarity work in Argentina

2011: Our alliances grow for a better future

We promote the first initiatives to promote corporate joint responsibility:

  • We held the first edition of the Business Solidarity Day, an initiative promoted by Messengers of Peace Argentina that would later be installed on business agendas.
  • In addition, we carry out the “Niños Solidarios” campaign with our friends from Racing Solidario”.
  • That same year. The Mensajeros del Mundo house begins to function, receiving young people from all over the world with the purpose of volunteering in our social work.

2010: Every time we are more!

  • We created the Mensajeros del Mundo International Volunteer Program thanks to an agreement with different foreign volunteer companies.
  • It would count, over the years, with the participation of many young people committed to social transformation.
  • Our “Niños Solidarios” campaign this year brought gifts to many disadvantaged girls and boys in the province of Chaco.
  • In the month of April we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Hogar San José with a party that was celebrated together with the grandmothers, family and many friends.

2009: We inaugurate new spaces to continue transforming reality

  • We inaugurated the “La Balsa” center for girls and adolescents living on the streets. A refuge so that their rights are respected and stop being violated.

  • For Grandmothers and Grandparents Day, we started an awareness campaign about the importance of older adults in society.

  • In turn, we reconditioned one of our dining rooms in Flores, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, to become a Day Home.

  • We celebrate Solidarity Day with a great day of games and music at the Planetarium.

2008: Closer and closer to those who need us

  • We created the Family Accompaniment Program, a device that over the years will allow us to be close to hundreds of families to multiply their opportunities and assert their rights.
  • In addition, a school support space for the neighboring girls of Flores begins to function, giving way to what will later be our Educational Strengthening Program.
  • For Grandmothers and Grandparents Day, we started an awareness campaign about the importance of older adults in society.
  • And we also carried out the second edition of the “Niños Solidarios” campaign, which was joined by schools, celebrities, volunteers and transporters to distribute donations of all kinds in various parts of the country.
  • At the end of that year we held the Volunteer Day Party, with a fantastic day of outdoor games.

2007: We take our message of peace to the whole world

We began to build international cooperation networks.

  • We present the Special Consultative Status before the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations to affirm the international vocation of our organization and it offers us a great incentive and new and better expectations to develop our work in the different countries in which, from Messengers of the Peace we keep activities.
  • By the end of that year we launched the campaign “A full Christmas gift”, a simultaneous campaign with Imaginarium and Messengers of Peace Spain to raise awareness among the little ones about the importance of solidarity.

2005: Our effort is recognized

Different government institutions highlight the work of Messengers of Peace in Argentina:

  • The Senate of the Argentine Nation recognizes the work of Messengers of Peace in the country.
  • In turn, Father Ángel is named Guest of Honor of the City of Buenos Aires.
  • We also received recognition from the Municipality of Almirante Brown for the work with Children in Longchamps.

2004: With the girls and the boys

We begin our work with children and adolescents in CABA and the Province of Buenos Aires.

In April, the Nuestra Señora de la Gracia Home for Adolescents was founded in Longchamps and in November, the Padre Ángel Home for Girls and Boys was founded in Caballito.

Thus began the beautiful journey of accompanying, promoting, and protecting the fulfillment of the rights of hundreds of girls and boys in a situation of social vulnerability that had taken place without interruption for 20 years.

2003: We arrived at Hogar San José

Our commitment to the elderly in our country begins

  • Messengers of Peace assumes the administration of Hogar San José, the oldest nursing home in the Municipality of Tres de Febrero. Thus begins our mission to protect and promote the rights of millions of older people in Argentina.
  • That same year, the Messengers of Peace Community Center began operating in the Once neighborhood of Buenos Aires, aimed at helping families in the area.
  • In Tucumán, we began the construction of offices for the maternity hospital. We also accompany the reconstruction and equipment of 200 homes affected by the floods in Santa Fe.

2002: The dream of a different Argentina begins

Messengers of Peace arrives in Argentina in the midst of the social, political and economic crisis that is plaguing our country.
Argentina lived in a context of recession, unemployment and malnutrition, violating the rights of millions of people. Faced with this situation, Father Ángel and Messengers of Peace organize the “For you Argentina” campaign.
300 tons of donations arrive from Spain to help more than 300,000 people from 70 institutions. All kinds of assistance (food, medicine, money, etc.) continue to be received throughout the year.
For December, Mensajeros founds in Tucumán the first soup kitchen for 250 girls and boys and a fairground ceded by the government to receive hundreds of families on weekends.

Educational strengthening programme

The Educational Strengthening Programme benefits more than 300 children between 6 and 17 years of age in situations of social vulnerability. The objective is to improve their educational trajectory, strengthen their learning processes and reduce grade repetition, dropout and over-age schooling.

The pandemic has had a substantial impact on many children’s lives, placing them in a very delicate situation. In Argentina, academic quality has decreased in the past few years, especially in low-resource neighborhoods. Mensajeros de la Paz considers it necessary to provide school support in primary education to more than 300 students between 5 and 13 years of age in the country. At least 45% of children in Argentina do not have Internet access at home. This situation is aggravated by the low quality of pre-pandemic education in children, particularly in the cases of children living in poverty who have been marginalized by the system. That is why it is fundamental to teach them in small classes and provide external support to counteract the problem. This project provides children with educational support in elementary school. Our certified teachers assist the children by basing classes on guidebooks and course material. Our simple but integral approach reduces the equal-opportunity gap among children, increasing education levels in low-resource communities. The didactic material is designed to address each child’s psycho-educational need. At the same time, we work to provide quality educational support through workshops, games, artistic tools, etc. Currently, we provide assistance at 8 different educational centers. By empowering over 300 children with education, we strengthen their resilience to life challenges, opening doors of opportunities for their future, improving their confidence, and inspiring hope. Improved education opportunities will ensure a better future for these children and subsequent generations.

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Day Club for the Elderly

The Club de Día Mensajeros de la Paz is a community daycare space for older people who are isolated, lonely or in other problematic personal situations. It acts as a motivator to improve older adults’ emotional well-being and quality of life, fostering or maintaining the social networks of those who attend the club.

The Day Club Mensajeros de la Paz plays a vital role as a dedicated daytime haven, meticulously tailored to cater to the needs of elderly individuals who find themselves grappling with the challenges of isolation, loneliness, and various other forms of personal adversity. Nestled within the heart of Floresta, a district in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, this compassionate establishment embarked on its journey in the year 2013, driven by a steadfast commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of the elderly. Every day, the Day Club extends its nurturing embrace to over 20 senior citizens. These individuals partake in a carefully curated array of activities that serve as catalysts for promoting and revitalizing active aging. The club, in essence, operates as a beacon of motivation, inspiring its members to pursue improved personal well-being and a heightened quality of life. Beyond these tangible benefits, the club also assumes the role of a guardian for the social networks of its attendees, ensuring that connections and companionship thrive in a setting that truly values human interaction. As the sun rises over the city, the club comes alive with the hum of engaging workshops. Participants immerse themselves in memory-stimulation sessions, delving into exercises that keep cognitive faculties sharp and agile. Thought-provoking discussions on human rights kindle a sense of empowerment and awareness among the members, fostering an environment where their voices are heard and valued. Socio-emotional artistic workshops enhance the creative spirit and serve as both therapeutic outlets and platforms for self-expression. Participants wield brushes and pens, channeling emotions and experiences into visual and literary creations that reflect their unique perspectives. Meanwhile, the digital realm is demystified through computer classes, equipping the elderly with newfound technological knowledge, and bridging generational divides.
At noon, yoga classes are held, embracing wellness and mindfulness. Breathing deeply, the participants find solace in the union of body and spirit, fostering a sense of holistic health that transcends the physical. Nutrition experts meticulously curate three nourishing meals each day, offering a taste of comfort and care. These meals, served against the backdrop of a balanced diet are gestures of compassion that nurture both body and soul. Through its diverse offerings and unwavering commitment, the club illuminates a path toward active, engaged, and meaningful golden years.

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Meraki Home

Meraki Home is a long-term residence for homeless cisgender and transgender girls and adolescents who arrive at the Home because of the violation of their rights. The word “Meraki” originates from Greek and embodies the concept of pouring your soul into everything you do and leaving a lasting essence. This philosophy perfectly aligns with our commitment to the girls we serve.

Currently, Meraki is the only Home that attends to these young women by providing food, care, and a roof to sleep overnight in Buenos Aires. We focus on accompanying them in their journey toward empowerment from a gender perspective. In response to the profound impact of the pandemic, Meraki Home has taken a crucial step forward. Since May 1st of this year, we have transitioned from being a night center to becoming a Temporary Home, offering round-the-clock assistance. This transformation reflects our dedication to meeting the rising needs of vulnerable young individuals. It was only fitting that we chose a new name to capture the essence of this profound change. At Meraki Home, we provide a safe haven for girls and adolescents aged 12 to 17 who have experienced violence or homelessness. These courageous young individuals have already received assistance from other institutions and are now welcomed into our home. Monthly, we support an average of 7 to 10 girls, depending on the duration of their stay. Currently, we are in the midst of renovating Meraki Home to better accommodate our expanded role as a Temporary Home. The addition of more bedrooms will enable us to cater to a larger number of girls, ensuring that nobody in need is turned away. Our dedicated team, comprising a psychologist, two social workers, a kitchen operator, and 14 compassionate individuals, works tirelessly to create personalized plans for each participant. We prioritize their education, partnering with different schools based on their specific needs. In our pursuit of independence, we emphasize the importance of hygiene and self-care. After school, the girls actively participate in workshops designed to develop valuable skills for their future. At Meraki Home, we are always adapting to the evolving needs of our participants, striving to provide them with the best possible care and support. As we continue this journey of transformation, we wholeheartedly rely on the support of our dedicated backers. Your contributions, both financial and moral, make an immeasurable difference in the lives of these young girls, offering them a chance at a brighter future. Join us in our mission to empower these courageous souls and create a world where every child feels safe, valued, and loved. Together, we can make dreams a reality and leave an indelible mark on the lives of those we serve. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey at Meraki Home.

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Hogar Colibríes

Since 2005, Mensajeros de la Paz has had a temporary home located in Longchamps, Province of Buenos Aires , for children from ages 6 to 12 who have been legally removed from their homes and families by social services to protect their rights. Colibrí es is a temporary home that provides assistance, care and support to these children facing such a challenging moment.

Children who live at the home have grown up in unstable and insecure environments. They often arrive without identity papers and suffer severe physical and psychological damage. Because they have had their rights as children to identity and security violated, our challenge is to make Colibries a place where they can feel at home during this transitory period in their lives.

At Colibries children receive psychological and medical assistance to help them recover emotionally and physically from prior abuses. Each individual is embraced, understood, and supported by a team of professionals and volunteers. Our programs and service s work to develop their unique personalities and instill a sense of security and self reliance. These assistance programs include a comprehensive diagnosis of each child’s case made by professionals to find the best results and solutions.

Mensajeros de la Paz seeks to strengthen the children’s social relationships, maintain, or repair significant family ties, or initiate the approach to an adoptive process when necessary.
Colibríes prioritizes respect for children’s culture, customs and right to expression and promotes actions to avoid prolonging their stay in the home. In addition, the children at the Home receive a balanced diet controlled by nutrition professionals as part of the incorporation of the Colibríes Home into the National Plan against Hunger.

Coming to the Home is a life changing experience for these children who need help in their recovery process. Our programs offer the support and the tools necessary to restore self confidence and start a new life free of previous abuses. The project’s primary goal is to ensure that the children are placed in a family that can provide them with a secure environment so they do not go through a situation where their rights could be violated again.

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San José Home

The Hogar San José is a long-stay residence prepared to provide comprehensive care for people over 60 years of age who require a place to live. In operation since 1935, it has played a significant role in protecting the rights of the elderly.

San Jose is a home for elderly people who have found themselves lonely and lacking the necessary care for everyday life. Unfortunately, we are facing a difficult situation: repairs and installations must be completed, and we do not have the necessary funds. Most of the residents, who are over 90% women, have no other family. This place is and has been their home for over 10, 15, or even 20 years, and we cannot look away. San José is the oldest Home for the elderly in the Municipality of Tres de Febrero. It currently provides care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is a place where interdisciplinary work is encouraged to maintain each particular case, prioritizing each person’s voice and opinion. On top of the 50 residents, the Home has a professional team of doctors, psychologists, social workers, and nutritionists who work 24 hours a day to provide care for participants. Without San Jose, not only will the residents lose their homes, but they will also be unemployed. In Argentina, 4 in 10 people are classed as ‘poor’, mainly children, women, or the elderly. Seniors are left entirely vulnerable when deprived of retirement, pensions, or health insurance rights. The home not only responds to the physiological needs of the participants but also promotes the subjects’ emotional well-being and mental health through different recreational workshops and medical follow-ups, among other services. Mensajeros de la Paz is committed to guarding older people´s dignity and protecting them from any risk that directly affects them. To effectively do so, repairing San Jose Home is our top priority.

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