Access Scholarship Program in Mendoza

August 22, 2009

Access Scholarship coordinators, teachers, and students from the Mendoza Binational Center, AMICANA in Colonia.

On August 22nd, Access Scholarship coordinators, teachers, and students from the Mendoza Binational Center, AMICANA, visited Colonia 20 de Junio, a public institution where homeless children and adolescents reside. This visit was part of the BNC’s larger campaign, “AMICANA SOLIDARIA” in which teachers, students, and staff donate clothes, shoes, and toys for children in need on a monthly basis. 

The Access students in particular assisted older children in making scarves for the younger kids, in addition to organizing games and activities for the entire group. There were over 100 children from the orphanage present, and although initially shy, little by little the BNC students won their confidence and the children eagerly participated in all of the activities, including a magic show.

Denise Bartolomeo, the academic director of AMICANA, noted the care and compassion the Access Students showed to the children at Colonia 20 Junio.  “They were loving and affectionate.  They held babies all morning.  They looked after the little ones.  They played soccer with adolescents.  It was a rewarding and unforgettable experience for all of us.”
The Access Scholarship Program provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 14- to 16- year-olds through after school classes and intensive summer learning activities. In 2009 this program provided scholarships to 300 Argentine youth who will study English for the next two years at various Binational Centers throughout the country.