AUTUMN /
WINTER 2013
Our regular readers
will appreciate the
difference your support
and contributions to The
Esperanza Trust makes
to the lives of the people in
Santiago Del Estero (SdE).
In recent years we have been able to fund 90
children to go to school through scholarships.
We have contributed to social projects
promoting drug rehabilitation; we have
contributed funds to establish a soup kitchen
to feed over 100 children a day, and we have
contributed to numerous building projects,
all with the aim of improving the health and
wellbeing of the local communities.
In Argentina as in many other parts of the
world, the cost of living has continued to
rise. However the Argentine Peso has fallen
sharply against the dollar and unofficial
claims state that dealing on the black market
has consequently risen.
This not only affects the day to day lives of
those in SdE but it also affects what we as a
Trust are able to do with the funds we receive.
Money in SdE does not go as far as it did
even a couple of years ago. Many of us in
the UK have also been dealing with difficult
financial situations for many years now.
Similarly, as an organisation we too have
suffered financially and this is currently taking
its toll on the work we are able to do.
With this is mind, as a charity we have had to
make some difficult decisions recently. This
year we have had to cut a large proportion of
the scholarships we contribute to by 50% as
we no longer have sufficient funds to meet
demands. Although this decision will be
regularly reviewed, it is unlikely to change for
the foreseeable future.
We thank you once again for your continued
support, and we will continue to keep you
informed on this situation.
From Scotland to Santiago del Estero
At the time of going to press, Rodney
Bennett is in SdE reviewing projects
and meeting with friends, supporters
and Esperanza Volunteers. He is
never short of willing helpers to go
with him. This time Liz Buckland has
been pleased to accompany Rodney
to discover more about the work of
Esperanza.
We caught up with Liz before she left
her home in Scotland to make the
journey to South America. She told
us that she was feeling apprehensive
and excited about the trip. As a fully
qualified Swimming Coach Liz had
been invited to go into local schools
and do some swimming coaching
with the children. She was also
hoping to have the opportunity to
visit many projects and experience
a culture far removed from that in
her chilly Northern hemisphere
homeland.
Since she has been there Liz has
sent us this report…
Thursday the 10th October and I finally
left for Argentina. It’s been ten months
since I decided to go on this long
journey. 13.5 hours on a plane. Plenty
of time to think about what it would be
like when we eventually arrived.
Before getting to Santiago del Estero we
had an overnight coach trip to take.
It was a holiday weekend and everyone
was trying to leave the city. I have never
seen such chaos on the roads! We did
eventually make it to the coach station
where confusion reigned. People were
waiting around everywhere and due to all
the traffic many coaches were delayed
including ours. It eventually arrived some
two hours later than scheduled! It was
quickly uploaded , and we were on our
way again. This trip was 12 hours, but very
comfortable. We had seats that went flat
like a bed with a small pillow and blanket.
They fed and watered us too! This journey
was very different from our flight. I actually
slept for six and half hours.
During my first week in Santiago del
Estero I have found the people friendly
and welcoming.
The streets are not what I am used
to. I find it strange to see nice houses
standing next to ruins. There is no
continuity of buildings. They seem to be
building a few governmental buildings
here although, I’m not sure why. Money
seems to be spent on the wrong things.
The roads are bumpy with holes and the
drains don’t work well in the rain. People
seem to spend lots of time patiently
queuing. At the bank, in the supermarket,
everywhere. However when it comes
to queuing in cars things become very
different with lots of noisy and impatient
beeping of horns.
We visited a children’s meeting in
Zanjon, one of the projects supported
by Esperanza. Children from very poor
families came to play and sing Christian
songs they were told a bible story and
did some colouring. I have been able to
spend time working with David (Bennett).
One day we did a delivery to a hospital
that had patients with what seemed like
mental health problems. I found it very
sad. There was one old lady who was
wandering around in her night clothes
and had no underwear on. I would hate
for this to be my mum , no dignity!
Thanks for that update Liz. We look
forward to hearing more from Liz
and Rodney when they return to the
UK in November.
Christmas may not be
a word you want to hear
in October.
A Golden Summer
Apart from the usual flurry of Summer
Fairs, and BBQ’s, this summer saw a
number of other fundraising efforts from
some of our trustees.
However with supermarkets already
stocking their shelves with mince pies
and oversized tins of chocolates it will
soon be difficult to ignore the distant
jingle of bells (or cash registers).
Our founder and trustee Rodney
Bennett along with his wife Joan
celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary. To mark this momentous
occasion they joined with family and
friends in both England and Northern
Ireland. Instead of gifts they invited folk
to contribute to the work of Esperanza.
As a result around £3000 was raised.
With this in mind do take a look at
www.givingabit.com Giving a bit is an
ingenious way of contributing to your
favourite charity i.e The Esperanza Trust,
from the comfort of your arm chair. This is
what they say about themselves.
What a wonderful way to commemorate
50 glorious years of marriage!
Other fundraising efforts were made by
Tim and Angie Vincent who went for
gold in a different way. Together they
took on the challenge of the Ealing
Half Marathon.
Despite various injuries and setbacks
along the way, they both crossed the
finish line on a beautiful autumnal
Sunday morning in September. To date
they have raised over £1050.
“givingabit is a free service, funded by
our partner retailers, that enables you to
support a chosen charity or good cause
purely by shopping online. It does not
cost you any more than the purchases
you would have made anyway, you just
visit the shops via givingabit.com”
Your Online Christmas Shopping from
major retailers including the likes of M&S,
Boots, John Lewis, and Amazon to name
a very few could really help. Simply do
your shopping and choose to contribute
to Esperanza. Sign up today!
LOOK OUT FOR OUR CHRISTMAS
GREETING CARD, COMING TO A
LETTER BOX NEAR YOU SOON.