In my home, Christmas has always meant that there will be warm baked deliciousness to enjoy with people I love. Maybe that's why it felt right to share this particular story with you on this Christmas Eve—because watching the panaderia crew at Cooperativa La Juanita in Argentina reminds me of how wonderful it is to share a hot bite of fresh-from-the-oven pan dulce with others during the holidays.
We're heading back to Latin America—to La Matanza, a neighborhood just outside the city of Buenos Aires—for our last video of 2020. Our friends at Libertad y Progreso in Argentina introduced the Atlas Network team to a unique neighborhood cooperative that serves thousands of local residents every year by offering classes and hands-on training that help them build the skills they need to get jobs and start businesses of their own.
Kelia Busby, who manages Atlas Network's social media, shared her story about the experience of walking into La Juanita and seeing how many different educational and professional options are available to people. There's a bakery, a daycare, a machine shop, computing and animation classes, and a call center that puts people to work after they've learned how to provide customer service. It's a constant whirl of activity, all grounded in the philosophy of establishing dignity through work. And everything—from La Juanita's administrative needs to the call center—runs more smoothly because of the cooperative's ability to afford laptops and other technology. Two years ago, Libertad y Progreso worked with government officials to end a 35 percent tariff on laptops and small electronics that essentially put most technology out of reach for groups like La Juanita. But as you'll see in the video, computers are making a huge difference for the cooperative today, and the community is thriving.
So grab a mug of cocoa and a fresh medialuna, and sit back with the story of how removing one simple barrier to prosperity is creating a brighter future in Argentina. In fact, you can help Atlas Network create more of these stories of hope and empowerment! Yourtax-deductible investmenthelps us strengthen the network and ensure that organizations like Libertad y Progreso can keep up their amazing work.
A most Merry Christmas (or whatever you choose to celebrate) to you and yours!
Cheers,
Melissa
P.S. Don't forget to give Atlas Network a like, follow, and whatever else you do to stay connected on social media these days! And, if you're so inclined, please share this and otherPoverty & Freedom storieswith your friends and family—there are some pretty amazing things going on around the world, and you make it all possible!
Melissa Mann
Vice President of Communications
Atlas Network
Melissa Mann
