Travel Update #1 of 2 - Project Patagonia 05/18/2010
One week ago, I got back from two weeks of traveling. Time is flying. I can hardly believe it myself. The first week was planned, the second was completely impromptu, and both were great! The first week, I volunteered with Project Patagonia (www.projectpatagonia.org), a non-profit founded by two former ambassadorial scholars that obtains and installs computers for rural schools in the northern Patagonia region of Argentina. My specific assignment was to record, via video and photos our week delivering these computers. It was a great experience. Since I have over 1200 photos, I decided to make this entry a photo-essay with a few of them to explain the trip. You can click on any photo to see an enlarged version of it. Enjoy part 1 of 2 - Project Patagonia (Part 2 will have some photos from my trip to Chile):  Tanner, a former ambassadorial scholar and co-founder of Project Patagonia, carries in computer supplies that will be delivered to the school located in Ojos de Agua. Tanner was our expert driver, who has been driving on dirt roads since he was 14.  Students from recipient schools held a ceremony to thank the Rotarians and Project Patagonia for the computers. The computers were purchased through a Rotary Matching Grant through a collaboration of the Rotary Club of Burton Middlefield in Ohio and the Rotary Club of Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche, Argentina.  Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Nahuel Huapi with some of the students from recipient schools. I also snuck my way into this photo.  My specific job on the trip was to take photos and record via camcorder the various visits to the school. This is pretty much how I spent a large portion of the time while we were visiting schools.  At each school Kimberly and Tanner talked extensively with the teachers and school directors on a variety of topics, and in particular how the computers play a role in the learning experience of the students.  The students were very well behaved on all of our visits, despite their intense curiousity about their foreign visitors.  Breaking in the new computers  'Too cool for school'...or maybe...'so cool for school' would be more appropriate  We played the kids in soccer, and lost. Even my L is backwards.  The kids were initially shy about having pictures taken of them, but when I showed them the pictures I took of them, it usually made it more fun for them made them less self-conscious.  Little girl and her dog.  At Atraico, one of the recipient schools.  Tanner was our master technician and installed the majority of the computers and software.  This was the average dirt road we spent hours on every day travelling from school to school. Some were much worse than this though.  One of our two flat tires we got on the trip.  Kimberly explaining the rules about using the computers to the kids.  This local is in charge of calling for medical assistance on the radio if there is a health emergency. Before these radios were donated by Rotary, the people would have to travel by car or more likely horse.  One of the many beautiful sunsets we enjoyed at the end of a long day on the road  Tanner showing off his toy helicopter to the kids...  before crashing it into the director  Two kids walking home after we gave them a ride part way. Many of the students travel great distances every day to go to school, unless the stay at a residence school, which means they go home to visit every 2 weeks.  The director of one of the schools showing the guest book they have and enjoying her mate, the preferred drink of Argentines. Mate is an Argentine tradition that they drink throughout the day. We were usually offered mate at every school we went to as we sat around chatting with students, teachers, and parents.  This is Rotary!  Preparing the absolute best milanesa (breaded steak) I have had since I got here. We always ate well at whatever school we were at for lunch. The cooks always had a delicious dish prepared for us.  A young Argentine girl with her little brother.        Before we departed, Tanner and I got to participate in the parade celebrating the birthday of Bariloche. The Rotarians of Nahuel Huapi had lead the way with their banner.  After the parade, military grade hot chocolate was offered to all participants! After our participation in the parade, Tanner and I went off to Chile for a few days. I'll provide some photos from that trip in my next entry, which will be soon! Until next time! CommentsTom! I really, really, really liked these pictures! This really helped me to understand some of what you are doing in Argentina. Leave a Reply |  Tom's Travels!An up to date account of my latest thoughts, work, and adventures! Archives |
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