Heard on No Te Duermas
The project. This initiative is aimed at people experiencing homelessness and social vulnerability. It is carried out by various academic and social organizations. This is the fourth year it has been held in the district.
By Soledad Martínez
martinezgsoledad@gmail.com
The community and solidarity tea started during the Covid-19 pandemic as a collective response to the inequalities that became even more evident during those difficult times. “It was a proposal from colleagues from different spaces, from NGOs, who wanted to do something in response to the inequalities we were facing, which the pandemic made even clearer. The most affected are those of us who are never heard, we are always the same ones,” said Milagros Arias, one of the participants in the solidarity initiative.
The project began in San Justo Square with a solidarity tea and soon grew to include the organization of Christmas dinners, which was initiated by Compaz, an NGO founded in 2014 in La Matanza with the aim of promoting a culture of peace, democratic coexistence, and respect for human rights.
On its social media, the Merienda Social y Solidaria space highlighted that “during the year, every 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month, we organize popular and solidarity teas with the goal of supporting and fighting for the rights of people experiencing homelessness and at risk. In this space, we share art, games, and we find ways to build; it is not philanthropy, nor charity, it is strictly justice.”
They also shared that “it has been 4 years since we set up long tables every December in San Justo Square, decorate them with love, cook, collect toys, and celebrate together. This collective, community, and self-managed work clearly states that the street is not a place to live! We will not be forgotten or neglected.”
They encourage the community to participate: “We need to continue building networks and make this space possible. We invite you to join us and contribute in any way you can.”
The tea, held every 15 days in San Justo Square, is a space not only to provide food but also support and a sense of community. Arias described how these actions create a lasting impact: “They already know us; word of mouth spreads, and they invite each other.” She also emphasized the importance of meeting broader needs, such as winter clothing or support in emergency situations after heavy rain: “That’s when we need to be there to provide a response.”
The logistics and maintenance of these activities depend on donation campaigns that include toys, personal hygiene items, and pan dulce (sweet bread), among others. Arias highlighted the importance of any type of contribution, no matter how small it may seem: “One can collaborate in different ways, from bringing a pan dulce to sharing an image so others can find out.”
With an inclusive and collective approach, the initiative aims to break down prejudices against people living on the streets. “We try to build bridges where there were once walls. We don’t see the homeless as the ‘bad’ part of society, but understand that they are people who have been discarded by a system for not being functional and are forgotten,” said Arias.
This year’s Christmas dinner will take place on December 25th starting at 7:00 PM in General San Martín Square, San Justo. “We say the tea is for everyone because we don’t just raise one flag. We don’t say that this is solely from one organization, it’s for everyone,” concluded Arias, reflecting the spirit of solidarity behind this announcement.
Caption: For the fourth consecutive year, the Christmas dinner will take place in General San Martín Square, San Justo.
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