“Amnesty International would have a field day out here”
- Eoin Ryan, volunteer 1998

Eoin Ryan, from Castlebridge, Co Wexford, worked as a volunteer in Oberá from November 1999 to March 2000. Here he writes about the experience:

“When I first saw Santa Teresa Home from the exterior I was actually quite impressed. I had expected an old run-down renovated building or maybe something worse. But Santa Teresa stands out in comparison to the other dwellings by its size and modern attire. The interior is of as good a calibre as you would expect in any home in Ireland. It was also clear that a lot of thought had gone into the infrastructure. It struck me as being clean and cosy. An impressive place - built by love, generosity and long hard slog.

Liam (Hayes) had uncovered an almost secretive and cold side of Argentinian life. Families with “special” children have been known to simply abandon them to die. Some of the residents have been found violated, tied to trees or abandoned at the roadside. It’s tragedy; but it’s reality. Amnesty International would have a field day out here. But this home has saved dozens of lives and may have created a consciousness that will save many more.

Since I’ve been here I’ve seen a lot of progress. Corruption, however, being so rife in Argentina makes life very difficult. I’m glad to say that the people in Oberá seem to be getting a sense of the value of these homes. I hope the good vibes they send out will educate people about the needs of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

So what have I learned? More, possibly, than I realise. It has been an enlightening experience and good for my personal growth. I couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone with the right attitude and time on their hands. I would hope in the future to be able to ‘balance the books’ and continue to support the homes."