This project highlights the coordination between local grassroots organizations and public health institutions, with agroecology as a key cross-cutting theme. The main goal is to engage neighbors from Las Tunas and Ricardo Rojas in reflection and dialogue around: healthy eating, food production systems, community health building, and our relationship with nature — always within the local socio-economic context.
Las Tunas is located in General Pacheco, Tigre, in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires Province, about 2 hours from downtown Buenos Aires. It is accessible by bus. The neighborhood spans 109 blocks and is home to at least 42,000 people. The Las Tunas stream runs through it, and it is surrounded by gated communities that provide employment for some residents, but also underscore the deep social and economic inequalities. These gated developments have caused flooding during rainy days and the loss of wetlands that were once public spaces for the entire community.
About the projects and the community
CEPAN – Center for Prevention and Nutritional Assistance
CEPAN was originally a center that provided care only for children, pregnant women, and infants. In the last one or two years, it began transitioning into a CAFyS (Family and Health Care Center), expanding its services to a wider population. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services include: general medicine (available once a week from another CAFyS), pediatrics, obstetrics, nutrition (for children, adolescents, and recently for adults, although with a limited schedule), nursing, psychology, social work, early childhood stimulation, and gynecology.
MILPA – Agroecological Community
This grassroots organization is based in the Ricardo Rojas neighborhood, where the community garden and agroecological store are located. Youth and adults work there in a self-managed and cooperative way, maintaining the garden and selling agroecological and cooperative foods. The space is open to the community, and on Saturdays, gardening workshops are held along with discussions on community topics decided in assemblies. Agroecology and food sovereignty are central pillars. MILPA places strong value on building local networks and exchanging knowledge and perspectives. In this context, gathering to listen, support one another, and enjoy each other's company is essential.
Volunteers collaborate with CEPAN and Comunidad MILPA through both scheduled activities and flexible tasks. No equipment is required—all tools and materials are provided on site. Areas and responsibilities are planned according to each volunteer’s profile, skills, and interests, ensuring a meaningful and appropriate experience. Activities also vary depending on the time of year; for example, garden work shifts between winter tasks (soil preparation, pruning, maintenance) and summer tasks (planting, harvesting, watering).
Volunteers work alongside an interdisciplinary team including nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, community educators, and MILPA garden coordinators.
