Argentina

The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina have been affiliated with Global Ministries for many years. Between 1976 and 1983 many Argentine children were kidnapped, along with their parents, by the perpetrators of the military dictatorship. Many of the parents of these kidnapped children were killed. Other children were born in the concentration camps to which their mothers were taken after having been sequestered in different stages of their pregnancy. The kidnappings were well organized as seen from the following report:

The kidnappings took place at night or at dawn, primarily in private homes, though sometimes in the streets or at workplaces . . . The timing helped delay whatever action relatives might wish to initiate. Heavily armed men dressed in civilian clothes would appear and threaten the victims and their families, and frequently their neighbors. By prior arrangement, the police would make the area near the home safe for the kidnappers. Often it would be sealed with several cars blocking access . . . The kidnappers would throw their prey on the floor of a car or into the trunk and take them to one of 340 secret detention centers located throughout the country.

The mothers of the kidnapped parents tried to locate them and, during their search for their children, they also searched for their grandchildren. The grandmothers of these children decided in 1977 to form the Association of "Abuelas" (Grandmothers) of the Plaza de Mayo. The Plaza de Mayo was an historic place during the Argentine dictatorship, because the families of the detained-disappeared would walk the plaza, in front of the government palace one afternoon each week (even during the most repressive times), and silently demand the whereabouts of their loved ones. The Association of Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo is dedicated to working towards the return of their grandchildren, by investigating the events surrounding their disappearance and gathering information about their whereabouts. The Grandmothers of the Plaza simply ask that these children be restored to their families.

In 25 years, the Grandmothers have been able to locate over 71 of the disappeared children. Some of the recovered children are living with their legitimate families while others are living with their adopted families and keeping close contact with their true grandparents. They have eventually begun to recover their identities. In many important ways, the Grandmothers have been a source of hope and consolation to many families and victims. According to one member of the association:

I found the Grandmothers' address in my address book. I went immediately to the office. When they opened the door I saw all this light coming into the dark hall and I heard the strong voices of strong women. I felt like the sun was rising. They received me well . . . From that moment on I joined the Grandmothers. When I found the remains of my son after fourteen years, I was accompanied and surrounded by the Grandmothers. I felt as if the hand of a mother was around me. I felt protected. I was not alone.

Unfortunately, as long as there are children and grandchildren missing, the Grandmothers will be searching.