PAGE 12 //WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7. 2011
the pendulum
u
; T»-; ** *
... photo SUBMITTED
Alejandra Lapaco, Carmen’s daughter, remains missing. There are many
memorials and photos dedicated to the disappeared around Argentina, like this
one in Memory Park. The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo are far from giving up
Genevieve D Cruz
International Reporter
Argentinian mothers
search for lost children
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Carmen Lapaco, one of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, was one of the relatively few of the disappeared who was
able to return home after being detained. While the Mothers maintain 30,000 people are still missing, the Argentinian
military claims less than 10,000 of those originally detained to remain unaccounted for.
%
m
D
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have marched every Thursday afternoon since 1977 in front of the Casa Rosada.
Part of the work they do includes finding information about the individuals who have not been recovered since the
dictatorship. Often, this involves searching for and collecting newspaper clippings and memorials.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- Their children have been
missing for more than 30
years, but the Mothers of
the Plaza de Mayo have not
stopped searching. Every
Thursday afternoon since
1977, they march in the Plaza
de Mayo, in front of the
Casa Rosada, the Argentine
executive branch and office
of the president, armed with
posters and photos of their
missing children.
The Mothers of the Plaza
de Mayo, Founding Line,
was established during the
dictatorship in 1977. During
the last military dictatorship,
the government had a hand
in “forced disappearances"
of those who did not support
the dictatorship. Up to 30,000
citizens “disappeared" under
the rule of the dictator, Jorge
Rafael Videla.
The organization is
composed of women whose
children disappeared during
the dictatorship and who are
working toward recovering
their children’s bodies. They
do not recognize that their
children are deceased, only
that they have “disappeared,”
since records and bodies have
yet to be found.
Carmen Lapaco, one of the
mothers, has a unique story.
She was missing and had been
detained with her daughter,
but she survived and was
allowed to return home. She
is the Mother that worked
directly with CIEE-FLACSO
students. Alejandra Lapaco
Aguiar, Lapaco’s daughter,
remains missing.
The mothers continue to
work to spread the information
about disappearances.
“It was a time of living in
fear,” Lapaco said. “We lived
with love. We overcame this
fear."
D'Cruz volunteered with the
Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo
fall semester.
MORE ONLINE
Read about
Genevieve's
experience as a
volunteer and see
more photos
or d successful
Talk to other students tha^ went on
the same program, see howja^:h they
spent and places
they traveled to.
Then force yourself
to budget and plan
ahead of time where
you want to travel
during the semester.
Also tell your parents
and friends from the
United States that you
will set aside specific
times to call or Skype
them throughout the week or month. But
there should be limits.
-Amy Kenne'
J
J
Save lots of
money, plan trips
early and don’t feel
like you have to see
every attraction in
your city at once.
You have plenty of
time. Meet locals,
too — don’t limit
yourself to Just
Americans.
PARIS
ny Kenney
,FRANCE
-Kristen Olsen
DUBLIN, IRELAND
You can wear your clothes over and over again,
especially in cold weather, but bring lots of underwear
so you don’t have to do laundry too often. If you prefer
a certain food, like peanut butter or
Flershey’s, bring it with you, because
chances are your country doesn’t
have it. If they do, it probably won’t
be the same. If you’re an over
packer, bring toiletries and snacks
in your suitcases so you'll have more
room for gifts and souvenirs on your
way home.
If you’re going to South America,
get ready to throw your clock put
the window, because everything
is relative, especially when you ard relying on public
transportation for everything.
-Genevieve D'Cruz
BUENOS ARES,
ARGENTINA
tudying abroad
Memorize the basic exchange rate
for your coffnff^^s^rrency so you
: don’t have to hesitafe when buying
things or overpay
cab drivers! Also
learn how to say
“please" and “thank
you” in the native
language right
away. You’ll use
these things the
most. And smile as
much as possible.
When you’re lost or
confused, people
will be much more willing to help you
out.
-Millie Rosen
HAIFA, ISRAEL