ARGENTINA, Father Tomás Dell’Oca/JQM. JQM, Juventud que se mueve (Youth on the move), is a group of the Schoenstatt Movement that wants to generate a change in the mentality of the people in order to make a concrete contribution in building a new nation. Throughout this year different campaigns and activities have been carried out. The strongest and largest one during the month of May was “What are you going to do for your nation?” Workshops to raise awareness of citizenship in several schools and secondary schools were held in the province of Tucumán located in northeastern Argentina. This month the youth gathered again for the second edition of Young Spring.
Youth will meet in common on September 21st to celebrate the arrival of spring and Student Day. Since it is a holiday – for students -many will gather at strategic points of the city; Youth on the move also celebrated, but in a different way.
A clean Argentina
The point of departure was at 4:00 o’clock at 9 de julio Park, in the center of the city of San Miguel de Tucumán. It was impressive to see thousands of youth at the park. They did not remain idle with the huge group of people. They put on gloves and provided trash bags as they began to clean the park, because the good habit of not littering paper and disposable containers in public areas unfortunately has not been conquered.
The activity of cleaning has more than one meaning. As youth who are committed, they desire and dream about a clean Argentina- free of corruption, of egoism, of injustice and lies. In order for this to be possible, each one should make his/her contribution. By cleaning the park, they wanted to show people that if everyone wants things to change, they must get on the move.
Who are these madmen?
Many boys and girls congregated for this activity. Each one proudly wore an Argentinean t-shirt. Moreover just like for large soccer games, they painted their faces blue and white, our national colors, and with smiles on their faces they picked up paper, bottles, and boxes!
At first people looked at them strangely, as if to say, who are these madmen? As the young people approached a group of youth gathered in the park, they told them what they were doing, and many of them joined them and began to work.
With this celebration of spring, Youth on the move finished their activities for this year. It was a year full of experiences, of memories and above all of growth. Most of all, they are convinced that where there is a will there is way, and when forces are joined, it is much easier.
Thanks to everyone who accompanied Youth on the move in this year of intense work.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
