Arroyo Dulce: A centenary school, tourism projects, and efforts to keep young people in town

Arroyo Dulce, a community of 1,500 residents located about 32 kilometers from Pergamino, Argentina, is actively working to boost tourism and encourage young people to stay.

The town boasts exceptionally fertile land, with locals claiming soybean seeds yield triple the harvest of other provinces. Its identity is deeply rooted in shared experiences, including the memory of the Malvinas War, symbolized by a decommissioned war tank proudly displayed in the central plaza. Dardo Forti, a local leader and Malvinas veteran, highlights the town's defining characteristic: "People here are very supportive. It's good that we know each other, but people are very supportive."

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People here are very supportive. It's good that we know each other, but people are very supportive.

The Volunteer Firefighters' Quarter, established in the 1970s, stands as one of the community's most respected institutions. With 30 active firefighters operating on a passive alert system from their homes, the immediacy of their service is profound. "90% of the time we go out, the affected person is someone we know or a relative," explains administrative secretary and firefighter Lorena Turrini. This close-knit reality means tragedies are shared, with neighbors offering support even after a rescue.

To manage public curiosity and ensure operational funding, the firefighters have implemented unique strategies. A public notice board outside the station informs residents about ongoing incidents, while creative fundraising efforts, such as street dances attracting up to 4,000 people and the "mobile pig" – a cart roasting a pig as it tours the streets – are crucial for maintaining their fleet of two forest fire trucks and a water tanker, given the inadequacy of national and provincial subsidies.

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90% of the time we go out, the affected person is someone we know or a relative.