Matías, 18, Argentina
Basic need(s):
Education, Environment, Health, Water
Project:
Canje X Cambio
Matías has always been intrigued by global issues. “From childhood I was concerned about the problems of the world: Hunger, war, pollution…among others.” At just 12-years old he decided it was time to do something. He found inspiration when he joined his local Ecoclub, a worldwide social organization dedicated to youth development and leadership through solving community problems. Now, at the age of 18, Matías is a National President of Ecoclub and has been named the new leader of a program called "Canje X Cambio" (Exchange for Change). The initiative, which aims to reduce the impact of environmental pollution caused by waste, attempts to transform the way its community thinks about the situation. It teaches its members to be more responsible with their everyday actions in regard to the ecosystem, ultimately helping them become more aware of the importance that each family has in reducing waste. “People don’t realize how their actions impact others. The waste gets burned in open-air garbage dumps and then the air is filled with disease. It also pollutes water.” “Canje X Cambio” occurs once a month. During the event, Matías and his peers register families to participate in curbing their waste emissions via less garbage, a more prudent approach to heating and cooling, etc. To date the program has enrolled a total of 50,000 households. Moreover, Matías and his group have overhauled his community’s entire waste management process. “Canje X Cambio” is so well known now that politicians actually seek them out to do work, not vice versa. In 2008, Matías’s work in the development of Latin American people was recognized on a nation-wide level when he received the prestigious award “Gobernador Enrique Tomás Cresto,” a distinction bestowed upon him by the National Government of Argentina and the Latin American Association of Cities and Communities. He invites you to check out his blog and website at ecoclubescentro.blogspot.com and www.ecoclubes.org.ar/site/.
