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The Project Manos a la Obra ("Getting down to work") was born to give a specific response to many youth willing to participate in a work project that would satisfy their needs. Based on these needs, the idea came up to create a work cooperative made up, at first, of former Felices los Niños Foundation boarders. Later on, other young people who are still alien to the working world and have not found their first job joined in this initiative.

At first we started off by weeding out the land, cleaning the artificial lake, working the soil and recovering fruit tree plantations. All of this took place within the site of the Foundation’s headquarters, in Ciudad del Niño Don Bosco, Hurlingham.

Inside Manos a la Obra Cooperative

Based on new teachings, young ones learn how to optimize natural resources and tap into them. Youth work with a Coordinator and receive advice from the National Agricultural Technology Institute (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, INTA).

Manos a la Obra took as a role model the creator of a Bank for the Poor, the Bengali economist Muhammed Yunus, who through his book “Towards a World Without Poverty” sets a specific, operational and practical idea on how to create a cooperative.

All those who comprise the cooperative have a clear view in that they are developing a joint and solidarity-based working activity where individual benefit depends on group success. It is a democratic management and participation process with well-defined working guidelines, each member participates and is involved in decision-making regarding the road to follow. The project’s day-to-day activities include planting organic vegetables, producing and packing home-made jams and jellies, production of wooden logs and fertile soil, compost and worm compost (product manufactured by worms) are also produced. In addition, wooden crafts are made such as decoration pieces, spoons, mates and jars, which are later traded in the arts & crafts fair. We are constantly looking to enhance the project by adding new activities and products.

Manos a la Obra also provides a delivery service of all types of products manufactured either on a yearly or seasonal basis.

Place your order for fruit, timber, fertile soil and other products at +54 (11) 4665-2461 or e-mail us at manosalaobra@feliceslosninos.org.