Introduction classes in ParaDarEsperanza

Louardes has the smallest kids (from 2 to 5 years old), and accompanies them for the day with little games, or creative work, in which they can improve their motor skills and bond in social relations. She already works for the project since it is founded, and works as well in the mornings for a class in school (nearly same age in the other job as well). We profit a lot of times from her great sense and a lot of experiences. Louardes is a very patient and helping person, who is busy taking over the directory of the project, and the financial responsibility, but never complains.

Liliana now has the second group with a lot of children between 6 and 9 years old. She is just finished her studies to become a social worker in education to find a second job in the mornings. her classes are mostly very colorful in the sense of using a lot of different materials to stimulate the creative development of the kids, while choosing for themes such as hygiene, how to walk safe in a city, and other every-day themes important to the kids in that age. Her ideas are always new and offered well prepared, even though it is hard to get the attention of the whole group, she takes the time necessary to explain it to everybody.

Mireya is a educated teacher in a college, where she is attending class in the morning. In the afternoon she is the head of the homework group which is changing all the time, depending on the tasks the kids get from school. Mostly her kids are between 7 and 12 years old, and she assissts all of them properly to finish, start or deal with their tasks from school. We are based on a school fundation which is showing here still the biggest influence.

Ella´s group is forming the oldest kids between 10 and 15 years old. She builds up her lessons similar to the school system, and tries to involve themes important in that age such as identification, sex and self confidence. Mostly are themes treated around a weektime to let the kids be familiar with procedure, consens and meaning of it for themselves. Ella is the only teacher who is not Ecuadorian, but a peace corp volunteer from the states. Her work (around 2 years now) in the project is very meaningful and she already invented a lot of improvements in organisation and structure in Para dar Esperanza.

Next to the classes and school frame, we do offer psychological help and therapy to the kids, formed from the ecuadorian psychologist Germania, and me as the drama therapist student in the project. Besides this meanly working members, we get volunteers nearly every month who are willing to assisst and help out where needed, depending on their own skills and favors.