APROPDIS - Asociación para la Promoción de la Persona con discapacidad 

Association for the promotion of people with a disability

APROPDIS is an association for the promotion of people with a disability and was founded in San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires in 1994. Currently, it offers eight members the chance to work on their own, with the aid of two assistants and a therapist, and earn money. 

The work of the members is to produce Alpargatas, typical gaucho shoes that are used in rural regions for over 200 years. On the workdays, they have a regulated daily routine and always start with preparing and having breakfast together. Afterwards they produce the shoes, handling every work step on their own. They begin with the preparation, followed by the creation and packing of the shoes, finishing with the cleaning of the workplace. They also manage some of the administrative tasks on their own. A few afternoons they spend together after work for different activities, such as sports, theater or computer classes.

APROPDIS is the only association in town that provides a possibility to people with a disability, young or old, to work and earn money, and it also gives them an opportunity to learn new skills or simply have a good time with friends.Through shoes sales and some donations of local companies the association does have a regular income. However this income does not cover the costs for larger projects, such as the renovation of the machinery for producing the shoes or the expansion of the facilities to be able to employ more members. Therefore the association steadily needs to raise funds. 

For further details visit:
https://www.facebook.com/APROPDIS-222996047829073/

UPDATE 

We include a donation amount of 2 USD per traveller in our package deals, in accordance with the respective partner agency. This amongst other helped to improve the kitchenette in the establishment of the APROPDIS foundation and we could contribute a new sewing machine as well as some garden furniture for their terrace.
(Dec 2023)