Transforming Communities: Empowering Women and Children in Rural Argentina

Nestled in Argentina's rural landscapes, Fundación San Genaro (FSG) is working to improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities through transformative projects. Operating from Buenos Aires and Santiago del Estero, FSG trusts in the leading role of children and women as an engine of change in each community whether in educational, healthcare, or community endeavours. In pursuit of enabling underserved communities, the organisation increasingly requires a reliable internet connection - a necessity for effectively delivering its development programs.

Thanks to Big Box, FSG's mission has made great progress with secure and reliable internet access now available. Jangala's flagship product, the friendly and purple Big Box, is a rucksack-sized device designed to bring internet access to challenging environments, exactly like those where FSG operates. 

In Villa Ojo de Agua, a quaint countryside town, FSG's Women Empowerment workshops have undergone a noticeable evolution as the internet has been integrated into their day-to-day activities. The introduction of Big Box has secured access of online tools, enabling women in Villa Ojo de Agua to access diverse digital platforms and enhance their learning and business skills

And It doesn't end there. Fundación San Genaro’s headquarters also boasts a community library. With its reliable internet connection, library visitors can now access online resources to support their educational pursuits and personal growth.

“Santiago del Estero, where we primarily operate, is the district with the poorest connectivity in Argentina. This makes Jangala’s contribution not just beneficial but indispensable for achieving our goals.” 

Patricio Marquínez - Executive Director at Fundación San Genaro

Looking ahead, extending similar connectivity to rural schools and communities in the region holds a big promise. For schools, reliable internet connectivity would unlock access to a wealth of educational content online, facilitating e-learning and substantially enriching the quality of education available to students in remote areas. For the broader community, it could enhance access to crucial healthcare information, enable the use of digital government and banking services, and serve as a bridge across the digital divide that currently hampers rural development. 

While reflecting on the transformation brought about by organisations such as FSG, one question emerges: How can we ensure that reliable internet connectivity transcends its current status as a luxury, becoming instead a right for every individual, particularly those in rural and underserved regions?

Addressing the root causes of digital exclusion, particularly in regions such as Santiago del Estero, and championing initiatives and solutions that promote digital inclusivity and literacy, can move us closer to a more just and interconnected world where every individual has the chance to realise their potential and contribute to the collective progress of humanity.