#OPLAStories - The story of Mauricio, a dance and folklore teacher who, through the Sach-a Tusuy school, offers children and young people in his community the opportunity to grow and have fun together, without hanging out on the streets
by Tainã Santana
We are in Argentina, where in recent years there has been a significant increase in crime, fueled by factors such as growing poverty, youth unemployment, and the spread of drug trafficking. In these contexts, many young people and children find themselves without after-school activities and, living in conditions of extreme vulnerability, often end up being attracted to criminal gangs, which take advantage of them by offering an “easy way to earn some money.”
From this context, Mauricio, a dance and folklore teacher, writes to us. He received support from the Economy of Communion to complete his studies:
“I thank the EoC community for helping me to continue my studies and, above all, to continue helping the children and young people in my community. I offer them a place where they can have fun, learn, and experience folklore.”
It is extraordinary to see how much life can spring from the awareness of being able to give and contribute to the development of one's community. One's work, in fact, becomes the privileged means of positively impacting the context in which one lives. Investing in education, as shown in the annual reports of OPLA-EoC, is a choice made by many operators and by the EoC in general, precisely because of the great potential for change that these investments can bring. Mauricio continues:
"Thanks to your support, I have been able to acquire more knowledge and accompany children who today suffer because
they do not receive the necessary attention from their parents or teachers, who, despite knowing the risks these children face, are unable to intervene due to a lack of resources. I thank you, because thanks to you we can prevent many children from wandering around the city in the afternoon or evening, in places where they should not be, and instead they can stay in a safe place, such as during dance lessons. In this way, we can prevent them from ending up on the wrong path."
Culture plays a fundamental role here: potential criminality gives way to art, dance, and the authentic cultural expression of its people. Thank you, Mauricio, for teaching us the importance of folklore and for showing us how powerful it can be in the fight against poverty, crime, and the many risks that threaten children in particular.
Mauricio's testimony is very significant. How do you contribute to the development of your community? Do you know other people who, like Mauricio, could make a difference and just need support?
Write to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and become part of this change!