Re: [TANGO-L] foster children - Argentina?

[astrid <astrid @RUBY.PLALA.OR.JP>]

> Anybody know of a non-religious "foster children" organization that covers
Argentina. I'm thinking of helping a child and maybe we want to do it in our
tango club context. You know, one of those monthly checks and you get a
picture and case history and you write letters. Puts a face on development
cooperation.
> Maybe a neighboring country.
> Thanks
>
> Tine
>
>
I found the article below on the internet. This may be a little old, I am
not sure, but El Indio is still involved in "Tango protesta" and his street
chiildren project, I have been told.
The prices seem a little odd to me, though: "what money can buy in BsAs: 3$
for food for one day for one, 88$ or a family of four for one week. 20$ for
a one-weekend-tango-workshop for one student, and 60$ for a pair of tango
shoes." Does that mean, that tango classes would be, translated into what
would sustain a famiily of four for a week in industrial countries, worth
about 500-1000$ for two days??? And that one would have to spend a quarter
or more of one's salary on a pair of dancing shoes? If anyone can comment on
costs  in BA, it would be appreciated.

Astrid

---------------------------------------------

How to Help Others Through Tango
This article is based on an interview of Jose Garofalo in Buenos Aires by
Gretchen Janssen.
You can read the entire interview at www.firehousetango.com


     Tango Protesta is a group of world-class tango dancers in Buenos Aires
who have formed a cooperative to research and enhance the art of tango and
explore its connections with the social and political experience in
Argentina. They have made a conscious commitment to work through tango to
further social and political justice.

1. They offer free classes for children of the streets (chicos de la calle).
2. They have helped to organize comedores populares (what we would call soup
kitchens) where people can receive food they otherwise could not pay for.
3. They offer classes in schools where there is no money for classes in the
arts.
4. They participate in solidarity with the Madres de la Plaza (families of
those who disappeared in The Dirty War) and workers seeking improved
conditions.
5. They present shows, which are a means to raise money for these goals.

     The group was initially started by Indio and Paula Ferrio in Plaza
Dorrego where they collected food for those who had been most seriously
affected by the economic crisis of 2001. After a while they asked Jose
Garofalo, one of the co-owners of Porteno y Bailarin, to join their effort.
Later more people became involved and now the group is composed of six
people--Indio, Paula Ferrio, Jose Garofalo, Veronica Litvak, Claudia Sanchez
and Marina Svartzman.

How can we help support the work and goals of Tango Protesta?

     The group accepts donations of money, technical expertise and other
in-kind contributions. They need:

1. People to help in organizing events.
2. Technical help in designing their website
3. Money to produce shows, to pay for space for rehearsals, to offer
scholarships for tango classes for students, street children, dancers,
singers and other people who cannot afford to pay for classes, and for
children in need of the basic necessities of life.

     If you would like more information or to share in supporting this
collective effort, please contact Gretchen Janssen at:
gretchen.janssen  @verizon.net. She will be taking contributions to Buenos
Aires on her next trip in September.

Here are some suggested ways of raising money to support this worthy cause.

     1. Here is an idea from Gretchen. She saves 25% of everything she
spends on tango lessons and classes, and puts it into a pool for Tango
Protesta. You don't have to put away 25 %. Any percentage will add up, 5%,
10% or 15%.

     2. Tango organizers could charge an extra $3 once a month for milongas,
workshops or group classes, and give this money to Tango Protesta to help
individuals in need.

     3. Tango organizers could charge for events that are ordinarily free.
For example, charge $3 to attend an outdoor milonga in the park. This little
bit of extra money adds up and can go a long way toward helping our brothers
and sisters in Buenos Aires.

Look a what a small amount of money can buy in Buenos Aires:

     1. $3 pays for food for one person for a day. That’s less than one
Starbucks latte! If I skip  my latte, I can pay for someone else for an
entire day!

     2. $22 pays for one person all week. $12 pays for a family of four for
one day. $88 for a family of four for one week.

     3. $20 pays for one student’s scholarship for a weekend workshop.

     4. $60 pays for one pair of dance shoes for a student who cannot afford
to buy them.

     5. $150 pays to provide a class for street children who have no classes
otherwise.

     6. $600 pays the rental of space for rehearsals, teaching and shows for
one month.

Gretchen Janssen is a tanguera, a psychotherapist, a pastor and author of
the book, Women on the Move and of numerous articles on the challenges and
opportunities of living overseas.  You can reach her at:
gretchen.janssen  @verizon.net

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