With this conviction, La Promesa Argentina arrived at the Ecoparque of the City of Buenos Aires together with the Fundación Cartoneros y sus Chicos, an organisation that supports the children of urban waste collectors. One hundred children from the Maquinista Savio neighbourhood, aged between 8 and 16, experienced two days that for many were their first time travelling to the city for an experience of this kind.

They explored the Ecoparque, learnt about its history —the transformation of the old zoo into a conservation space— and discovered biodiversity, native wildlife and wild animal rescue through first-hand experiences. They got close to the work of the veterinary hospital, heard stories of animals freed from illegal trafficking and the pet trade, and learnt about species reintroduction programmes, such as the transfer of elephants to sanctuaries.

They were also days of opening up: to other realities, to professions connected to environmental care, to vocations that exist but are sometimes unknown because there was never the opportunity to see them up close.

We shared a lunch and a conversation around the Decalogue of the Conscious Traveller. Each participant took home a La Promesa Argentina notebook with the Decalogue, as an invitation to continue looking at the world with more attention and care.

Sometimes, caring begins with simple gestures: picking up a piece of litter even if we didn't drop it, respecting shared spaces, leading by example.

Two days of learning, nature and connection. A shared intention: to bring more children closer to nature so that care is born from bonds and experience.

Agradecimientos especiales

This Purposeful Action was made possible thanks to the Ecoparque of the City of Buenos Aires, for opening its doors and sharing the work of its guides and education teams; to the team at Fundación Cartoneros y sus Chicos, for their commitment and support; and to MAI 10, which provided the funds for transport, lunch and the educational materials given to the children. Photos: Tomi Cuesta.