Back to Kindergarten
Blog by Molly Mahoney and Molly Mulrain

Our last full day in Argentina began later than usual. Coach gave us the morning to sleep in, which we all took advantage of after an exciting evening at Asia de Cuba. The team loaded the bus around 1 p.m. to travel to a disadvantaged community just inside the Buenos Aires city limits. After a brief tour of the cooperative which provides training on sewing and computers as well as micro credits to would-be entrepreneurs and school services to the local community, we got the opportunity to interact with the children.

On the day we went, the kindergarteners were there with their parents and siblings - there were about 80 children. We raced them carrying small potatoes on spoons held in our mouths, threw rings around traffic cones and stacked little Styrofoam cups of confetti after jumping over a tire. When the kids won, they were handed little prizes. Basketball was also very popular and a huge line formed as we helped then shoot and even dunk on the short rim. We also did a hockey demonstration for everyone there and they cheered and clapped for us. Then we got the kids involved and they enjoyed hitting the ball around the small yard. They were all so cute and friendly, even though one of the little boys decided that he didn't like Ro and threw a pillow at her! The kids were so excited that we were there, and it was a really nice experience to give back to Buenos Aires after the people have been so hospitable and welcoming. It was a great experience and everyone decided that it made this trip even better than we thought it could ever get.

As we prepared to leave, we distributed dolls to the girls and puzzles to the boys. After our service trip, we returned to the hotel and got ready for our farewell dinner at the same restaurant we went to on our first night. It was difficult to say goodbye to our guides and we gave them little presents to remember us. It was the perfect day to end our perfect trip...and we will always remember the experience we shared together in Argentina. Go Birds!