From Legal Expertise to Social Impact: Gabriel's Journey with Ashoka

Can you share your background and what inspired your transition to Ashoka?

I was fortunate to receive a high-quality education entirely through the public school system in Argentina, including earning two degrees from the University of Buenos Aires. This background instilled in me a deep appreciation for education and a commitment to improving society. However, over the years, I've seen the quality of public education decline, making it crucial to find new ways to support young people. This sense of responsibility and my desire to give back led me to Ashoka. I was drawn to their mission of fostering social entrepreneurship and their innovative approach to creating positive change. Additionally, the idea of supporting young people in technology came from seeing the disparity between job opportunities and available skills. I realized that specific education in technology could quickly lift young people out of poverty and help them support their families. 

How has your experience been co-organizing with Ashoka?

Co-organizing with Ashoka has been an extraordinary journey. Initially, we faced challenges in garnering participation for our literacy contest. Ariela and Tomás from Ashoka were instrumental in overcoming these obstacles. Ariela proposed partnering with Itaú, a prominent Brazilian bank with a strong presence in Argentina. Their support in providing digital resources, pre-selection for the jury, and extensive publicity catapulted our contest from 40 to over 300 submissions. Itaú was pleasantly surprised by the high level of engagement, especially since our contest is focused on a specific value, unlike their broader, free-form contest. 

One memorable aspect of our collaboration with Itaú was their surprise at the number of entries we received. Our specific category within their larger contest attracted 20-30% of the total submissions, which was much higher than they anticipated. This success story underscores the power of strategic partnerships. Additionally, each year we assemble a diverse jury, including a journalist, a writer, a social entrepreneur, and representatives from various non-profit organizations, reflecting the theme of the contest. Last year, we celebrated 40 years of democracy in Argentina and partnered with Bunge and Born Foundation, a strong NP0, which generously provided travel and accommodation for the winners, many of whom visited Buenos Aires for the first time. The collaboration with Ashoka not only expanded our reach but also enriched our processes and outcomes, consistently exceeding our expectations. 

 

Last year, we celebrated 40 years of democracy in Argentina and partnered with Bunge and Born Foundation, a strong NP0, which generously provided travel and accommodation for the winners, many of whom visited Buenos Aires for the first time.

What inspired the idea of creating a literacy contest in your mother’s memory?

The literacy contest is a tribute to my mother's passion for literature and education. It aims to encourage young people to engage with and express themselves through writing. Despite initial challenges, such as limited publicity and participation mostly from private, high-wealth schools, the idea was to create an inclusive platform that reaches a diverse group of participants. With the strategic partnership with Itaú and continuous support from Ashoka, we managed to significantly broaden our reach, making the contest a remarkable success and a fitting homage to my mother's legacy. A touching moment was when participants from remote areas, who had never traveled to Buenos Aires, were able to visit the city for the award ceremony, thanks to the support of our partners. Seeing their excitement and hearing their stories made all the hard work worthwhile.

 

You also support youth in their studies. Why is this important to you, and does Ashoka play a role in your efforts?

Supporting youth in their studies is deeply personal for me, given my educational journey. I believe in the transformative power of education, especially in technology, which can lift young people out of poverty and provide them with opportunities for a better future. Through various organizations like Cimientos and Tzedaka, and with Ashoka's guidance, we've initiated several programs to assist students at critical stages of their education. For instance, during the pandemic, we provided essential resources like printers and computers to students in need. Additionally, Ashoka has connected me with other fellows and organizations focused on education and social entrepreneurship, allowing us to create more impactful programs.  

I believe in the transformative power of education, especially in technology, which can lift young people out of poverty and provide them with opportunities for a better future.

One notable experience was meeting a powerful donor through Ashoka who had deaf daughters. He was moved by our initiative to provide educational resources during the pandemic and made a significant donation that enabled one of the fellows to establish a new activity center. This connection, facilitated by Ashoka, had a profound impact, far exceeding my own contributions. Moreover, working with Ashoka has allowed me to develop a program to provide specific technology education to groups of 30 young people at a time, aiming to bridge the gap between high unemployment and the demand for skilled labor.

How do you practice changemaking at home with your family? 

Changemaking is a family endeavor for us. My wife and our two children are all involved in our projects. Our literacy contest has become a family project, with everyone contributing in some way. Both of my children were chosen by their classmates as delegates, demonstrating their leadership and commitment to making a difference. They push hard to represent their peers and drive change within their school, which is a good starting point for them to understand leadership and advocacy. 

My wife is also active in various community associations, reflecting our shared belief in the importance of improving our immediate environment. We often host Ashoka Fellows and international guests at our home, where our children get to hear inspiring stories and understand the broader impact of social entrepreneurship. I also involve my children in technology education initiatives, having them interact with young people who have benefited from these programs. By seeing the direct impact of our efforts, they learn the value of giving back and supporting others. 

A particularly touching experience was when my children met the beneficiaries of our educational support. Although Jewish tradition emphasizes anonymous charity, I believe it’s important for them to see the effort and determination of young people who, despite facing significant challenges, continue to strive for a better future. This personal interaction fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of our social responsibilities. 

In summary, changemaking at home is about creating a culture of empathy, responsibility, and active participation in social initiatives. By involving my family in these activities, we cultivate a sense of community and inspire them to continue this work in the future. 

We often host Ashoka Fellows and international guests at our home, where our children get to hear inspiring stories and understand the broader impact of social entrepreneurship. I also involve my children in technology education initiatives, having them interact with young people who have benefited from these programs. By seeing the direct impact of our efforts, they learn the value of giving back and supporting others. 

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