Program Update: Argentina

FIET Theological Institute in Argentina is a Christian leadership training center that is committed to serving the Church, ministering with excellence and staying relevant to the Church and society. They have thoughtfully created a community outreach project this year that targets a major need in their society and offers to influence change in 10 cities found in Argentina.

The use and abuse of drugs, such as alcohol and cocaine, is not new and affects the whole of Argentina. In one way or another, churches have tried to confront this problem. However, in recent years in the country, the situation has been aggravated. It has affected Argentinean politics, laws and even into the churches and communities. The youth succumb to this quick solution to issues surrounding poverty. FIET says generally speaking, drugs are present in more than 80% of crimes in Argentina. There are poor government programs, and though churches have attempted to work in this area, often they do not have sufficient preparation or training.

FIET has been asked by more than 100 programs working together to help them in the preparation of volunteers to work with addicts, their families and the prevention of addictions. Today this issue is a priority in the agenda of the churches, and FIET has a unique opportunity to affect the ministry of the churches to society. Their plan lays out work in 50 churches, teaching 200 students who have had problems with drug abuse and preparing 100 of them as therapeutic assistants. They also plan to launch 10 Prevention Centers and open five recovery centers this year.

Along with the Council of Pastors, FIET has selected five cities in which to open centers of addiction study. They will send 16 teachers to act as professional specialists on issues related to addiction. Students will receive tools to start prevention and recovery programs at the addiction centers.