March 29, 2009
Yesterday was a day of children.
Our first project in technical training was a mapping exercise with the youth. We found a group of children hanging out near a colmado and separated them into two groups according to gender. Then we asked them to draw a map of their barrio. After the exercise we brought the groups together and ask them to talk about their maps and find differences and similarities between the two maps.
At first the children were hesitant about drawing the maps. They didn’t understand what we wanted from them or they said they couldn’t draw. After much encouragement, they started to sketch out their versions of their barrio. Eventually, the children got really excited about the project. Neighbors were curious about the hubbub so they came by and asked questions. We had taken over the colmado – there were at least 20 children and several more adults.
Perhaps what was most interesting about the project was that they thanked us for letting them do this assignment. For once, people cared about what they thought about their community. They discussed what they would want in their community – a park, a university, movie theatre, computer center, among other things – and they confessed that they felt powerless to achieve such community establishments. The adults chimed in too, saying that it was up to the president to improve their community.
Yesterday was a day of children.
Our first project in technical training was a mapping exercise with the youth. We found a group of children hanging out near a colmado and separated them into two groups according to gender. Then we asked them to draw a map of their barrio. After the exercise we brought the groups together and ask them to talk about their maps and find differences and similarities between the two maps.
At first the children were hesitant about drawing the maps. They didn’t understand what we wanted from them or they said they couldn’t draw. After much encouragement, they started to sketch out their versions of their barrio. Eventually, the children got really excited about the project. Neighbors were curious about the hubbub so they came by and asked questions. We had taken over the colmado – there were at least 20 children and several more adults.
Perhaps what was most interesting about the project was that they thanked us for letting them do this assignment. For once, people cared about what they thought about their community. They discussed what they would want in their community – a park, a university, movie theatre, computer center, among other things – and they confessed that they felt powerless to achieve such community establishments. The adults chimed in too, saying that it was up to the president to improve their community.
The results of this project made my mission and purpose seem clearer. We are here to empower the communities in which we live and get them thinking. They do have voices and desires and it’s up to us to help facilitate a dialogue and start programs that would help improve the community.
Later in the afternoon, I sat on my balcony as the sun was setting and watched the children playing down below. I’ve noticed that the children here are always outside. They create makeshift volleyball courts or baseball diamonds, they rollerblade and chase each other, they chat and hold hands. A few of the girls waved and said hello to me. It was quite cute. Once it was dark, I could hear mothers up and down the street calling their children to dinner. I was reminded of my own childhood when the entire neighborhood of children would be commanding the streets.
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