Manicures and Missions?

Some days my job is very unexpected. This week I received a professional manicure as part of my daily tasks! Melanie and Barbara, two licensed Canadian estheticians came to teach manicure skills to women from our target neighborhoods in Baradero with the hopes that they will use them to supplement their family income. I am acting as interpreter and cultural guide. Since the women needed to practice on each other first, I served as a model with the initial teaching. Very fun!

Today we are adding in a lesson on beauty, the kingdom of God, and self-esteem. Tomorrow we will facilitate brainstorming about how to apply these new skills next week (no time to get rusty) and will explain some basic principles of micro-enterprises.

Above are Melanie, Barbara, Horacio and Silvia eating a traditional Argentine barbecue outside, another perk of being here!

Melanie observing her students at work.

Barbara working with Cristina and Silvia.

Marisa, one of our trainers, works with her niece Alejandrina.