After four weeks of Spanish lessons at www.amautaspanish.com I started my volunteer work at the FBAS. I had an amazing time and it gave me the opportunity to see a totally different side of Buenos Aires.
The work was diverse and varied. On Thursdays we handed out condoms on the streets or visited houses where the prostitutes and transvestites live. It was very impressive to see how they appreciate our work. We also advised them to let them be tested for HIV. To be able to decrease the number of HIV infected people, it is important know how many people are infected. To assure them that it´s free, anonymous and secure we hope to convince them of taking a test. When HIV is detected, they´ll get medicines for free.  We also visited a hospital in San Telmo, where the only doctor in Buenos Aires, provides hormones to transvestites.

Voluntary Work in Buenos Aires at the “Fundación Buenos Aires SIDA” MAY 2010

I also spent some days with my «boss», Alex Freyre. This is the most amazing guy I have ever met. He is actually the first gay person who got officially married (with another man) in Argentina and he fights for equal rights within same-sex marriage. We try to involve as many people as possible to achieve our goal so we meet with people at embassies, ministers, journalists and all kind of influential persons. Alex is also often asked on televison and radio shows. Here he indicates how important it is that everyone has the same rights, regardless of your sexual preference. We also went to a press conference where we are trying to get as many positive votes of the senators. When the majority of the senators vote for equal rights then the law will be adopted.
As a volunteer at FBAS you get involved from the first minute you enter the office, from that moment on, you are one of them.   Volunteering in Buenos Aires at FBAS was the most impressive period during my stay in Argentina and I would definitely recommend anyone to volunteer at FBAS!   Just write!

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