In the Misiones Province of Argentina, young people from the indigenous Mbya-Guaraní community face significant challenges. During the transition to secondary school, many are at risk of dropping out of the education system due to a lack of safe spaces for intercultural exchange and extracurricular development. To address this conflict between traditional tribal culture and new opportunities, our new initiative is already well under way: in close cooperation with the Argentine Fundación Hora de Obrar, we are building a dedicated community centre in Ruiz de Montoya. On a plot of land provided by the municipality, a space for interaction is being developed step by step – complete with modern training and meeting rooms, offices, and accommodation. Designed specifically for the Mbya-Guaraní people, the project offers their youth a safe gathering place for extracurricular education and leisure activities to sustainably prevent early school leaving. At the same time, the centre serves as a point of contact for local smallholder farming families, offering training in reforestation and agroecology. Together with experienced local staff, we are laying the foundation for a strong, self-determined community and a sustainable future in the local rainforest.
This work thrives on the support of dedicated people. Small steps can lead to big changes and every contribution helps immensely. The extent of this support is entirely up to each individual. After all, great things can only be achieved when many hands pitch in.