RATIONALE

The Killian Foundation is committed to partnering with local non-profit organizations in Argentina to provide support to children and adults who are in serious need of assistance.  Argentina is a beautiful country with a long history of dramatic economic and political changes.  Culturally the Argentine people are a unique blend of European and South American, and they are incredibly resourceful and resilient.  Most recently Argentina has suffered its most severe economic crisis in 2001.  This crisis has hurt people living at every level of society, especially the most vulnerable.

Perhaps the most vulnerable are the children, especially when one considers the areas of health care and education:

• 41% of the population does not have health insurance, and over half of the uninsured are under 15 years of age;
• 82% of school aged children do not successfully complete high school, and the drop out rate is 50% at the primary school level;
• 39% of Argentines live in poverty, including 40% of the children under the age of 14.

Living conditions for some have improved slightly, but 45% of the homes do not have a sewage system and 15% do not have running water.  The HIV/AIDS rate continues to increase, and the medical community is struggling to provide quality health care to those living with HIV/AIDS.  The inflation rate continues to grow, the unemployment rate continues to increase, and the value of the currency continues to decline.  These statistics depict the human condition of Argentina that motivate us to do this work.  There is much to be accomplished before we can say that every vulnerable person in Argentina can live a healthy life with the dignity and respect that every human being deserves.