Teenagers in our program received basic Barber training during the second semester of the year. The goal is to provide these young people with means to provide financial support to themselves in the future. All students were highly motivated and learned many haircutting and techniques put to test with family and friends!
On December 14 we celebrated our traditional Christmas Party in the Manrique neighborhood. The party was attended by 100 mothers with their children for a total of 300 people. Each family was provided with a box of groceries and each child received clothes and toys.
In November we went with a group of 33 children to Medellin’s nearest coastal town of Coveñas. Kids had a blast in this trip as for many of them this was the first time that they see the ocean and also the furthest they have been away from home. This was an unforgettably beautiful experience and we are deeply grateful to those who made it possible.
We are coming to the end of a year in which we worked with dedication and love to provide children with the basis to strive for a balanced and happy life.
Thanks to all of you for making this possible!!!
During the month of May we held a workshop for teenagers called “Visualizing our future.” The objective of this activity was to help the children understand the importance of setting relevant goals in life, and then create a plan of specific actions/decisions they must carry out daily towards that goal. Furthermore, we invited the kids to become aware of unhelpful habits that could divert them from their plans.
In our efforts to offer meaningful activities to the children, we created an alliance with one of the main public libraries in the city of Medellín. Through it, children learn science in many fun ways. Children get access to computers, watch documentaries, play games that stimulate their creativity and intelligence. Through activities like this, we make sure that Poder Joven is more attractive to the children than the “the street activities” which they are exposed to such as begging, crime, sexual exploitation, and drug consumption.
As part of our constant search for alternatives to provide well-being to our children, we held a crafts workshop with therapeutic purpose. Through an activity called “the hugging kitten” the children created rag dolls to their liking, using their personal designs and favorite colors; Then, they wrote a story to relate themselves and their rag friends and reflect on their fears and challenges in life. The kittens symbolize those people such as friends, teachers, and family whom they can trust and seek comfort whenever they need it.