We believe that an inclusive Argentina where all sectors of the population can access their fundamental rights and fully enjoy life in society is possible.
In Mensajeros de la Paz, we seek the social integration of the most vulnerable sectors of society. We have implemented comprehensive care projects to promote restitution and exercise their rights.
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
After the pandemic and isolation, we remain firm to be close to those who need us.
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.
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.
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
We promote the first initiatives to promote corporate joint responsibility:
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.
We began to build international cooperation networks.
Different government institutions highlight the work of Messengers of Peace in Argentina:
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.
Our commitment to the elderly in our country 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
