PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DE LA SALLE BROTHERS IN ARGENTINA

The Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded by Saint John Baptist de La Salle in 1680 in France to give a Christian education to the children of artisans and the poor, arrived in Argentina in 1889. The Brothers were invited by the Armstrong family to join the national project led by the Generation of '80, offering education to the masses of poor immigrants who were arriving.

From the beginning, in order to offer gratuitous education to those who needed it, we felt obliged to open also some tuition-driven schools. We are more known for these types of schools, some of which were considered emblematic, although overall they were a small part of our enterprise in Argentina.

As the years went on, we saw the growth of immigrant groups and we offered them secondary education throughout the region of the pampas. Since Vatican Council II and in communion with our international Institute, present in more than 80 countries throughout the world, we have renewed our original commitment to the poor. Therefore, we have multiplied our work and our effort in their behalf. In the middle of the 2001 crisis, we built a school on the outskirts of Cordoba to offer a completely gratuitous service. In subsequent years we opened an enterprise for kids who are outside of the formal system.

In Argentina today, we are present in sixteen towns and we have educational institutions on the initial, primary, secondary, and advanced levels; we have non-traditional educational works and two publishing companies. There are 70 Brothers spread out among eleven communities, and these serve the poor mostly. We work with 2,500 teachers to serve some 20,000 students, mostly students who are economically poor. Our wish is to continue to grow and to be able to put all our resources and energy into our mission.

The centennial building at Riobamba 650, five years ago was no longer used for our educational service, and we never thought about selling it or demolishing it as had been reported by some of the news media. Very much on the contrary we thought that this would be a good time to increase its worth.

The Colegio De La Salle, which was operating in Ayacucho Street 665, with all its levels and areas, continued operating up to the present. With this project it was even enriched and was able to take advantage of new facilities built along Tucumán Street.

At that time, we had tried different commercial developments in the building and these did not give the result hoped for. Its nineteenth century design, costly maintenance and necessary updating for purposes of safety made us realize different options that would not tie up so much money that we wanted to use for the education of the poor.

For this singular reason the authorities of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Argentina, with the corresponding authorization of the Superior General in Rome, after considerable consultation, including with the city government officials in Buenos Aires, have received  notoriety that we did not want. Up to the present time we have done all the necessary procedures and we have obtained the GCBA, pertinent authorizations as envisaged by law 449, concerning registered buildings. In the administrative minutes of approval there was no recourse made to "exceptions to the rules" since the project complies with all that is required by the urban planning code of the city. This law has helped us.

We believe that with this investment, everyone wins. First of all, the building which will be better preserved than it is at present. Also the school that will benefit from 4,000 square meters of laboratories and a new kindergarten which is needed. Most importantly, our overall works will benefit since they will be able to have resources that we cannot generate today.

We also want to thank profoundly to all those who worked with us disinterestedly to flesh out this indispensable project as well as  civil, religious and other organizations for lending us their support.

Brother Carlos Albornoz
Superior of the Lasallian Province in Argentina

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