00:00 In Argentina, the latest studies that measure poverty indicate almost 60% of the citizens
00:08 are below the poverty line, a problem that has worse with the policies implemented by
00:15 the President Javier Millet.
00:18 Our correspondent Santiago Correa went to a sub-kipchum to talk to those who suffer
00:24 from this problem, but also to show us those people who give their best from the sub-kipchum.
00:32 Let's see.
00:37 The situation of poverty in working class neighborhoods is on the rise, and in the absence
00:42 of government aid, social organizations are taking action and seeking solutions.
00:47 La Poderosa has a lot of community centers that have dining rooms, sub-kitchens, public
00:55 high schools, soccer centers, women's and dissident centers, which is the fundamental
01:00 thing we need in the different neighborhoods.
01:02 And we also have the noto space, where all the children go to receive their school aid.
01:08 At this moment, the biggest problem we are experiencing in Argentina is the food problem,
01:13 and it's a problem we have been fighting for a long time.
01:17 But it has depended even more in this time, in this new change of government, where it
01:21 stopped being visible and it stopped being important.
01:24 It is really an emergency because the government does not want to take it as such.
01:29 But we know that the priority and the most important thing today is this, is the food
01:34 emergency we are experiencing in Argentina.
01:38 In order for this situation to be addressed as a priority, during 2023 they presented
01:44 a bill to recognize women working in the territories.
01:49 And now, this year, we did not go out to complain about why the project was not approved.
01:55 We went out to demand that at least the merchandise be sent to our community kitchens, to see
02:00 that the kitchens exist, the kitchens are real.
02:03 Here in all the neighborhoods, that the need of the hungry is here, that we as cooks, workers
02:10 of the community spaces exist, and that we have been working a lot of hours.
02:15 A clear example of this commitment is Nelly Vargas, who for 33 years at the head of the
02:22 Evita dining room has been receiving dozens of people in need of a plate of food.
02:29 I dedicate myself to this, to organize food, to get up every day or to think at night about
02:35 what I'm going to do the next day.
02:36 So much so that sometimes I dream about what to cook and what to do.
02:41 My dreams are in this place because I'm the one who decides the dishes.
02:45 I'm like a mom who gets up, I see what's there, what I have to cook, I improvise.
02:50 We are working badly because we are working with the products that they give us for tomorrow,
02:54 and I made it today with a lot of difficulties.
02:59 Despite everything, she and her colleagues continue to forge ahead with the utmost determination.
03:10 Nothing is going to bring us down because we are here with all our strength and all
03:15 our will, knowing that we have to continue for those who need us.
03:19 We are not going to give up, and what I tell you is what I feel because I don't read speeches
03:23 about anything.
03:24 It comes from my heart because the beginning is suffering as a child, the need, not having
03:29 a plate of food like the one I wanted.
03:31 This is what makes this my thing.
03:33 I wouldn't change it for anything.
03:36 It is difficult to make ends meet, but we are still here.
03:44 This is the same scenario in each of the 44,000 soup kitchens that do not receive the necessary
03:49 government support and are a postcard of the difficult situation throughout the country.
03:55 Santiago Corey, TELESUR, Argentina.
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