Stepping forward
March 14, 2006

By stepping back from my life in Canada and taking some time to aquaint myself with a new region of the world, it´s people, customs and circumstances, I find myself slowly stepping forward in new and exciting directions. Argentina is a fascinating country, geographically rich like Canada, with a cosmopolitan capital similar to Paris and New York. At a distance, it is hard to believe that this country is very much a developing country.

As a tourist, your currency stretches a long way and for the minority of it´s citizens, Argentina offers a decadent lifestyle. I have personally been enjoying simple and decadent pleasures alike, while attempting to find that perfect middle-ground where I can live as a local yet treat myself and others when the occasion calls for it.

Although Sterling and I have been living in the wealthier neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, homelessness and begging is not a common site in this culture despite the fact that somewhere between 30-50% of Argentines live below the poverty line at all times and there are many ¨barrios¨ and ¨villas¨ within short distances of the city centre where poverty is most certainly a reality.

I´m proud to share that Sterling has teamed up with a Argentine-Canadian Director to assist him in developing a documentary which looks at the political atmosphere of South America along with related socio-economic problems. For Sterling and his partner it has been an eye-opening, thought-provoking experience to say the least and I have been fortunate to benefit from his ever evolving outlook. For those that are interested in a brief insight into the harsh reality of the less fortunate in Buenos Aires, Sterling has generously shared some of his filming experience in a recent blog entry.

I on the other hand am teaming up with an organization known as Idealist (Action without Borders) to bring about positive change in the Palermo community of Buenos Aires. We have our first brainstorming session this Friday and I´m thrilled to be connecting with like-minded individuals (in spanish!) and giving something back to this incredible city that has welcomed Sterling and I these past four months. Idealist is a relatively new organization that is leveraging modern technology to connect people all over the world looking to exchange ideas and work together to create positive change. Please take a minute to check it out because there are a lot of exciting initiatives underway all around the globe.

I have also been volunteering with a group of talented individuals at the oldest and largest children´s hospital in Buenos Aires. We provide an alternative form of therapy for the kids and their families through drama, music, and other artforms along with welcomed emotional support and prayer. It has been a thoroughly rewarding experience for me even though I admit I sometimes feel outside of my comfort zone. I suppose the key is just finding a way to use your strengths to contribute in some way, no matter how small.

Wishing you all good health, necessary wealth and genuine happiness.