So, Thursday night (starting at 11pm) I took a bus or as they call them here, a "colectivo," to Reconquista in the north of this gorgeous province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Near Reconquista, there was a presentation by ProAbi (Proyecto Aborigen para la Integracion) which works to create and share didactic materials that are both bilingual and intercultural (bilingual here meaning both Mocovi and Castellano/Espanol - English has also been added to the materials, however).

ProAbi was founded a few years ago, but this work has been going on for the past fifteen years and has gone through various cycles of funding. Currently the project is being funded by FUNIT (Fundacion Ines Tomasetti) and works with 4 schools in the north of the province with students of Gringo (these are local Argentines of European descent), Criollo, and Mocovi descent (majority Mocovi, usually). The project works to incorporate indigenous beliefs, educational practices, and codes of education into the formal education of both youth and adults.

The staff of the schools work to realize what exactly an intercultural school and educational system should look like, re-visiting how the schools function (or don't) frequently through planning, action, and reflection. The staff works with the students and the Mocovi people to create their educational systems and unfortunately, this type of program is not widely supported throughout Santa Fe or Argentina in general.

Anyhow, I went up to Reconquista to see the presentation of the four schools - they discussed everything from the need for "play" and "movement" and "action" in the learning process to the different didactic programs they employ at each school to theory about why this kind of pedagogy is important/necessary (here as anywhere).

Those who attended the ceremony heard from teachers of physical education, linguistics and language, history, culture, science, and so on about their approaches to their discipline within this structure. I really enjoyed hearing from the schools' directors, especially the director of Escuela Intercultural Bilingue Manuel Belgrano (No. 6173). This school's approach, in particular, fascinated me. Hector, the director, a Mocovi, discussed the importance of the codes that we all use to communicate and the need for the Gringo and Mocovi communities to understand each others' codes, etc. He talked about the use at this school of an education that incorporates traditional forms of education of the Mocovi people to create an environment where students feel comfortable and safe. It was integral to this school to create said environment so that students felt that they could express themselves, and to have the whole of the school integrated in the community and the community integrated into the school (in a variety of ways).

One of the ways that Hector suggested this happens is the way classes are held, they are held in a circle, which is more in line with Mocovi tradition and the way of life than what is thought of as the "traditional" classroom setting.

Unfortunately, there were many present who didn't/don't like the ideas that Hector presented or that he and his fellow staff use at their school. This is the problem, quite often, with projects of this kind... While it is expressed that there is a need for this kind of education, etc. it is not supported. Apparently there has been talk of firing Hector from his post as head of the school because he is a bit "radical" for the foundation which funds this program. I truly hope that this is not the case and that more of the schools become what Hector has created, an education truly within the culture of the Mocovi, in Methods of Peacemaking, this would have been a hinge theme, I'd say

Anyhow, yesterday was a very long day, after the presentation of each of the schools, a certificate of completion was given to each of the professors at each of the schools, there were lunches, desert, coffee, LOTS of mate, kids playing games, and so on and so forth.

After leaving the school, I went to the hotel where Bibiana (the director of ProAbi and friend of mine here in Rosario), her husband Marcelo, and her mom Marta were staying. We went to eat dinner together and then I fell hard asleep at the hotel. I didn't wake up at all and Marta tells me I was speaking Castellano in my sleep - I warned her I talk in my sleep before I went to bed, and it's a good thing, I might have scared her otherwise! I guess I don't speak English when I dream anymore though as a result of speaking so much Spanish here! Obviously, my Castellano/Spanish is improving since I've been here since I have no one to speak English with here like I did in Nicaragua, I'd say it's a good thing in a lot of ways but I almost feel like I'll lose my English if I don't use it haha...

This morning, I had breakfast with Marta and soon after, we hit the road, the four of us to come back to Rosario. We stopped for lunch on the way back and got some asado - which was incredibly delicious! Marcelo and I talked futbol and the World Cup, and we stopped by a store of some local bee keepers up there who not only make honey, fruit preserves, etc. but also make "Lemoncello" and "Liquores de Fruta." Lemoncello is a liquor made with lemon juice and is absolutely delish, and I got a liquor made from cherry and pineapple as well to bring home with me...

Well, I am entirely worn out now and tomorrow Argentina plays Mexico, so it's a big day here in Rosario! I'll be going over to Bibiana and Marcelo's house to watch the game, decked out in my Argentina jersey and white and blue everything !!!!!!!! VAMOS ARGENTINA, GANAMOS CONTRA MEXICOOOO!

Goodnight everyone, I hope you are fully enjoying your Saturday nights and your weekends in general and I will talk to you all soon. I love you all dearly and will see you all in a month (or more). Besos! Chau