Ensena por Argentina in underprivileged schools

Juan Chalbaud, a 37-year-old industrial engineer, discovered his passion for social transformation in northern Chaco. His journey began at the age of 17 when a missionary experience connected him with the rural communities of that region and sparked his desire to contribute to local development. Seeking ways to realize this dream, Juan joined the Collective Leadership Program of Enseñá por Argentina in 2013. The program provided him with the tools and confidence to work alongside rural communities:

“At Enseñá por Argentina, I acquired the tools, skills, sense of possibility, and also the deep belief in working collectively with rural communities. Because I am convinced that I cannot change anyone by myself, but we can all transform if we start sharing our lives together.”

Juan completed the program in Buenos Aires and then moved to Chaco with these communities to found Monte Adentro in 2014: an NGO that promotes community projects in northern Chaco. Monte Adentro has positively impacted hundreds of rural families in areas such as education, sports, health, trades, and community strengthening. Thanks to his work, more than 400 students have access to school support, more than 300 people participate in trade workshops, more than 200 families have internet access, and more than 1,000 people receive medical care.

“Monte Adentro is Mirta and Santa, two women over 35 years old who returned to primary school after 20 years. They are teenagers who worked in the fields and went back to high school. They are women who used to stay at home but now gather in trade workshops and sell their products. They are teenagers who traveled outside the fields for the first time with the sports club they founded. They are the three new associations of rural families that are now creating their own projects.”

Juan's commitment to the integral development of these areas was recognized in 2019 when he was chosen as Flag Bearer of the Year, a prestigious award given by the Noble Foundation to the most altruistic Argentines.

The ties between Monte Adentro and Enseñá por Argentina remain strong to this day: in 2023, Noelí and Gise, two young women who completed their academic training at Monte Adentro, graduated from the Collective Leadership Program, becoming alumni. This means that through the development of their leadership, they will continue to impact systemic transformation.