submitted by Josefino Rivera, Jr. English Teacher
TED-Ed Club Advisor & TEDx Organizer Asociación Escuelas Lincoln The American International School of Buenos Aires
A new piece of artwork done collaboratively by five Art 2 students is hanging in the mansion paying homage to a man named Sergio. To answer the inevitable “Who is that?” question…he works closely with our schools Community Service project in Chaco. His story is below in English and Spanish (along with the picture of the 90×120 cm painting itself)…
Image credit goes to Cory Desmond, IB Art Teacher with original photo credit to Sarah Waldron, IB English Teacher.
Sergio is the elder brother of 6, he fled from home at age 12 with all of his siblings, after years of systematical and derogatory abuse.
Together with his younger brothers and sisters he has been living at the “Gotas de Amor” orphanage for the past ten years.
Being illiterate upon arrival, he has just completed his high school education last year. He also trained himself as a carpenter and builder.
He has been providing free labor in our Community Service building projects in Chaco for the past 5 years.
Man of few words, never complains or criticizes; we have only heard him making commendatory remarks to our presence and work in his city.
Sergio was born 23 year ago but his silent and resilient personality makes those around him feel the presence of an ancient and kindred spirit.
Sergio es el mayor de 6 hermanos; a los 12 años huyó de su casa con todos sus hermanos escapando de una vida de abuso sistemático.
Ha estado viviendo en el orfanato “Gotas de amor” por los últimos diez años junto a sus hermanos menores.
Siendo analfabeto en su llegada, terminó su educación de escuela secundaria el año pasado. Aparte de esto se instruyó en la carpintería y construcción de forma autodidacta.
Él ha estado proveyendo mano de obra gratuita en nuestros proyectos de construcción de servicio comunitario en Chaco los últimos 5 años.
Un hombre de pocas palabras, nunca se queja o critica; sólo lo hemos oído hacer comentarios de apreciación por nuestra presencia y trabajo en su ciudad.
Sergio nació hace 23 años, pero su personalidad silenciosa y tenaz hace que los que lo rodean sientan la presencia de un espíritu antiguo.