Roadblock--NO exceptions

Today was an entirely different experience. I went in earlier as suggested by Valeria. Outside of el comedor there is a sign reading that only the cooks, parents of each family, and the teacher (me) are allowed to enter. Children of strictly prohibited from entering el comedor, NO exceptions.

The day started as another observation day and I just watched until they could find something for me to help with. Finally, I ended up helping Maria, a 23-year-old mother of three, to make flan. Now, the flan itself was already prepared, but we were in charge of cleaning the 172 bowls, cups, and mugs (anything we could find) and filling them with flan so that it could set. Since el comedor was closed, families came with boxes and bowls to pick up the food. As we emptied the flan into the families’ bowls (putting in however many family members there were—some had up to 8 people) we had to once again, clean ALL of the bowls. For sanitation purposes, we wore latex gloves and facemasks while doing all of this. I must say, it was literally backbreaking manual labor, as my back was aching after 3 straight hours of washing bowls.

I found out from Maria that the child that died hasn’t been to el comedor in quite awhile (so I wouldn’t have met he or she). Even the mother didn’t come very often because her child had been sick at home for a long time. Right now, the family is in Buenos Aires to have the child analyzed for cause of death. But for complete precaution, el comedor will not allow any children in until further notice. Maria said at worst, it would be two weeks before it reopens.

I actually found out from Laura this morning that Argentina is in a predicament. First of all, education here is free, even at the university level. So, thousands of students come from around South America to study here, use up Argentina’s government money, and leave. Also, Argentina has free medical care. Families only pay a (monthly?) tax of 30 pesos or so to receive any care they may need. However, with such a low tax, the government cannot pay for the necessary expensive equipment (normally from the U.S., which makes it even more expensive) to test for common sicknesses such as the flu—or what’s become more of a problem now—gripe A, or swine flu. The reason why so many people are dying from the swine flu is because Buenos Aires is the ONLY city in Argentina that has the equipment to test for it. Thus, most families can’t afford a trip there, or just assume it’s another illness, and before you know it, the person has died. So what do they do? Nothing. They can’t raise taxes, because people can’t afford it, much less afford to pay for one’s own medical bills.

Despite the intense manual labor—which I didn’t mind so much, as I am the newbie, especially in terms of the kitchen—I’m almost glad the classroom is temporarily shut down. This gave me an opportunity to meet the mothers and see what goes on each day in the back of el comedor. They asked where I was from and how long I’d be there. They even made a comment that they liked that I ate everything given to me. I guess the last girl here, from Ireland, was a vegetarian, and only ate a tomato with bread every day—no thanks. Although one day I’m not sure what I was eating, it appeared to be some sort of intestine or lung or something weird, I just didn’t ask, because it tasted fine, and I ate it. This meal is often the only meal some of these families eat all day, so I should first be blessed to have more opportunities to eat, but I should be thankful they are willing to share their food with me. And to be honest, I eat better at el comedor than I do in my host family’s house. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and el comedor has three courses. Soup, main dish, and dessert…what more could I ask for?

I told Maria about wanting to create a mural as my main project. She really liked the idea and had a few good ideas of her own. She normally does not bring her kids to el comedor during the winter because of the increased chances of sicknesses, but also she lives far away. However, she said once the classroom opened up again and I got started with the tiles, she’d bring them so they could paint a few tiles! She even mentioned the idea to the other mothers, and they seemed interested—although Amalia (who I finally met) reminded me that as of now, it’s prohibited to have kids there.

If the worst happens, and el comedor is closed for two weeks, I will simply have to paint tiles with the kids EVERY day. I’ll instruct the older kids to help the younger ones, and stress the importance of doing a good job but getting it done on time. I know that if I leave without it being completed, it’ll never be finished (even the mothers agreed on this account).

Although this has been a small roadblock, it is a different experience, and I kind of like the change-up. It’s a nice small break from crazy screaming fighting kids. Also, HelpArgentina sent me an email to be aware of swine flu and avoid contact with LOTS of kids. Since I was planning on coming to el comedor regardless of this warning, I guess with el comedor closed, it is all taken care of for me.