This year the program ran a special edition in the summer season, in which the towns of Santa Rosa, General Pico and Toay participated. In this framework, the provincial government once again reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of the sectors most affected by the national crisis. “After Hour” continued throughout the year in the Reconversión, Santa María de Las Pampas, Zona Norte and Butaló neighborhoods of the Pampas capital, with the participation of around 600 girls, boys and adolescents. The annual closing of activities consisted of samples of the following workshops: Art, Theater, Music, Freestyle, Judo, Boxing, Taekwondo, Circus, Archery, among others.
The Undersecretary of Social and Community Health, Cintia Zalabardo, told the Provincial News Agency that “through various strategies we sought to strengthen ties with the community, provide containment spaces and healthier environments based on support and assistance, with the main objective of being close to those who need it most. Listening and empathy have been the fundamental pillars.
For her part, the Undersecretary of Education, Sandra Galvez, stated that “the proposal could be sustained thanks to the financing of the provincial Government, in an extremely complex context and marked by a strong national lack of financing, in terms of giving continuity to programs and projects that offered like this, a space for care, games, recreation and learning intended for the children and youth of our city.”
Juan Pablo Bonino, Undersecretary of Children, Adolescents and Family, maintained that “the objective was largely achieved: boys, girls and adolescents found a place of reference in the different proposals that were offered. It also made it possible to detect violations of rights and be able to work on them, reducing neighborhood conflict. In this sense, the result of the program is satisfactory.”
Next, the Undersecretary of Government and Public Records, Pablo Boleas, mentioned that “linked to the Ministry of Government and Municipal Affairs, the public good entities with which we work allowed coordination with children and adolescents, providing their services to improve the quality of life of each one of them. Clear objectives were achieved that have to do with the continuity or permanence of the boys and girls of the neighborhoods in schools until 8:30 p.m. Finally, Carlos Ortiz, representative of the Ministry of Security and Justice, added that during the activities, respect and camaraderie are promoted and an environment is generated in which children can develop in a safe space. “We believe the program makes a difference and would be very valuable to continue in the coming years. It is important for us to be present and help from these places.”
“After Time” is run by professionals, teachers, assistants, auxiliaries, health promoters, neighborhood leaders, non-governmental organizations, and families. It is coordinated by an intersectoral team that includes representation from the Ministries of Education, Health, Government and Municipal Affairs, Social Development and Human Rights, Security and Justice, and the communes.
