Argentina

Name: Casa del Niño
Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina
Time/Duration: 2002 – present
Goal: Provide safe space for at-risk youth and hot meals for low-income community members of all ages.

In 1992 a house was donated to Sister Marta so she could continue her incredible work with the help of several important friends and helpers. Five days a week the doors open for elementary children to receive breakfast, a hot lunch, help with their homework and stimulating educational activities before going to their afternoon classes. In the afternoon high school students come in for lunch, school activities and snacks, giving them a safe place to study in what is otherwise known to be an unsafe neighborhood. Between the two hectic shifts, Marta and her volunteers manage to feed needy grandparents and a line of mothers with small babies, totaling about 400 meals a day.

PaperSeed has partnered with “Casa del Niño” over the past nine years to build a bakery, improve the existing kitchen facilities, construct a gymnasium and provide funding for music classes.