Home for Girls at Social Risk in Argentina

In “La Balsa” we work day and night promoting and protecting children’s and teenagers rights. These youngsters need education and adult contention, for which we made a great effort to provide them with the best opportunities. The approach that is carried out always has a clear gender perspective, intending to provide the necessary tools to live a life without violence. For this reason, the next paragraphs outline the activities done throughout the last term.

Concerning the international day of gender-based violence, the main forms of violence against women were explained to offer consciousness and knowledge about how they attempt against their physical and mental integrity.

Furthermore, another group harmed by their family and their gender are the young trans. During adolescence, a process of identity construction takes place so they need the support and guidance of a benchmark adult to help them decide what they like and build their self-esteem. That's why Mensajeros works concerning the gender perspective law by basing on equity and diversity to promote equality.

Regarding the work undertaken, during June, the technical team joined in special training to enrich our labour. The initiative is a decision to unite efforts and have a wider look in benefit to the target population. These exchanges and networking are extremely positive because the themes such as first aid, sex education, care and prevention allow a more effective approach.

Our work would not be possible without the commitment and awareness of our society. For this reason, we want to thank the kindness of our donors for their involvement in this social problem. Besides, thank you for sharing information about the project that allows us to increase the impact and help more people.

Centro La Balsa works as a device of integral assistance for homeless girls, boys and teenagers. It is the only stop over center for women in Buenos Aires City, orienting their work towards generating a deeper view, with gender perspective and looking to accompany girls as well as teenagers in their empowerment.

In the present, because of the pandemic context, Centro La Balsa adapted itself to work 24 hours a day in the frame of the isolation measures. That way, the centre could keep accompanying the girls, while keeping them aware about the cares for prevention of COVID-19.

R. Life Story:

R. is a teenager from the province of Tucumán, Argentina. During 2019 she found herself in a homeless situation in her province. Because of that, her adoptive sister decided to bring her to Buenos Aires. However, the isolation context due to the pandemic generated nostalgia in R., making her run away.

Since she couldn't come back to Tucumán because of the restrictions in provincial borders, she entered the Centro La Balsa device for 6 months. R.'s time in Balsa was very important for her, and for her adoptive mother as well, who was waiting for R. in Tucumán. During her stay in Centro La Balsa, R. participated in numerous capacitation about important themes such as self-esteem, bullying, grooming, menstrual cycle, sexual and reproductive health, feminism, gender identity, sexual choice, human trafficking, among others.

At the same time, she involved herself in an educational program from Mensajeros de la Paz, creating an interest in R. to come back to her scholarship. R. could return to Tucumán, and it's worth mentioning that Mensajeros de la Paz was the only institution that followed up on her case. It became very important for R., because thanks to that she could report situations of violence and negligence.

Finally, she could get in contact with the Human Rights Secretary of Tucumán, for it to make audits and monitoring on her case. It's because of stories like R.'s and many other people, we want to thank our team and every person helping us, and invite them to know more stories like this in our social media.

We would like to thank all donors who continue to support "Centro La Balsa" in its mission.