Our Sixth Project: Homework Clinics-September 2006 - June 2007

September 2007

This program has been very successful. Mainly, it has been a real “hit” with the children once it started. The program is being conducted in two community centers: El Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario las Minas ( CDC Las Minas) and el Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario Alto Nápoles ( CDC Alto Nápoles). Working in the two centers makes the programs closer to more homes, assuring a greater coverage of the children in this community.

 

We concluded in June 2007 this very successful program sponsored. However, we managed to extend its activities for the summer, taking advantage of the work that was done in the two Community Centers (Las Minas and Napoles) where the program was taking place.

Community Center “Las Minas”

 Both community centers had to be fixed up since they were in no-condition to have children there. Once the two centers were fixed, in addition to the Homework Clinics, the community started using the centers for other activities with seniors and small children. The communities are very grateful for this and it has introduced additional community activities in the centers. Now

The Community Center “Napoles” being fixed up

 

Children have access to a library, assistance in doing their homework, educational games, arts and crafts, music, and dance. Smaller children come to the centers as well.

Some play

It is getting exciting. 

Time to read…

Can I get some help?

 

Let's dance.

It is fun when we come here.

Others prefer music.

Or to just be children and play.

Learning art craft.

How about these marionettes?

A Telling Play 

During the summer activities the children prepared a “Play”. They chose the subject, wrote, directed and acted the play. The subject was a family whose parents left their children alone while they would go partying and drinking. In the play the children had to help the drunken mother and ask for food from the neighbors for their smaller siblings. They presented the play in a family day and later discussed it with adults.

 

Preparing the play

 

Rehearsing

 

Rehearsing

The screen

The play

June 2007

The project has been so successful that at times the two centers cannot cope with the number of children that come. In fact, the centers have been forced to set some additional scheduling so all the children that come have the opportunity to attend.

working on art projects

watching a film

One of the key characteristics of this program is the local community involvement in the two centers. Part of the money for the program was utilized to improve the structure and appearance of the two centers. This improvement has been noticed by the community, making the centers places the people want to attend and to participate in their activities. Teenagers of the area come to the program for their own activities but also to help with the younger children. The Senior citizens come one day a week to interact with the children, and some volunteer for other activities. This community involvement with the program has been very well received by all the participants. This is also very promising to ensure the continuity of the program. See below the various activities.

All of the sub-programs described below, such as homework support, re-enforcement, reading and math clubs, arts and crafts and sports, continue to be very successful with the children. For example, as part of the sport program the children formed a soccer team that this summer will be in a tournament organized by the municipal authorities from the communes where the program is taking place. The excitement of these children with this event is heart-warming. Also, with the approach of the end of the school year, the demand and interest for the re-enforcement sub-program has increased significantly and has also encouraged the parents to increase their involvement with the program.

Look what I made....

I think I can make one of those..

We are at the end of this program. We hope to be albe to continue. We would be asking for a continuation grarnt. At the end of this program we have several observations.

As mentioned above, this program was a complete success. It fulfilled a significant vacuum in these communities. Not only did it provide an after-school safe and stimulating environment for the children, but it also involved other members of the community: parents, senior and older school-children that would come and help out in the various programs. The importance of the program was highlighted during a serious and long strike by the teachers of the community. Having these programs allowed the children to come to the centres instead of staying in the streets while the schools were closed and continue with the habit of studying, reading and other school-type activities.

With the approach of the summer vacation, there is a great expectation from children and parents to maintain the program with other recreational activities.

The Homework Clinics (HC) Program includes nine different activities that are conducted in both centers. The two coordinators share ideas and learn from each other to improve the programs:

1- Homework support. This activity operates from Monday thru Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00 PM . Therefore, it is available for the two after-school shifts in the AM and the PM. There is an average attendance of 25 to 30 children everyday in each of the centers. The children do their homework in a safe and enjoyable environment.

 

CDC Las Minas

Doing homework alone or together…

2- Re-enforcement. Two days a week – one morning and one afternoon, the program provides the students with some help where some gaps have been detected. It clarifies and answers subject questions that the children may have. This has been one of the most successful activities and the one that has required some re-scheduling to cope with the demand.

3- Arts and craft. One day a week, the program works with the kids in arts and crafts. The children can express their creativity and have fun at the same time.

This is fun… and the teenagers are also enjoying it

….. in a fun environment

Ok, now I understand……

4- Math Club. One day a week, there is the Math club for those children that have difficulties in this area.

It is almost a game….

5- Story/Reading Club . One day a week there is the Story club. The objective of this club is to stimulate reading among the children

Library for the Children in CDC Alto Napoles

7- Sports. The children are stimulated to play team sports such as basketball

8- Seniors involvement. One afternoon a week, the senior citizens of the community come to interact with the younger children. They chat or read or play together.

A volunteer helping in math….

Reading corner

6- Teenager Involvement The teenagers of the area are also welcome in the center. Some of them help out with the smaller children, but also one day a week they have their own time where they can interact among themselves and develop other activities

9- Music and Dance . Of course, in Colombia music and dancing are in our blood and the children love it. One day a week the children can express themselves thru these activities. 

Arent'they great????

The two coordinators. Luis Miguel in Las Minas and Diana in Alto Napoles.

Luis Miguel talking to a father who is the only care giver for his three children, one of which who has a serious handicap. The center has provided a great support system for his very difficult situation.

Diana, whose mother was one of the founders of the Altos Napoles CDC. She has been very involved and was instrumental in solving many of the initial difficulties.

The dedication of these two young people is admirable. They have to deal with difficult situations in this area where economical hardships, violence, and personal risks are very common. Yet their enthusiasm and love for what they do is inspiring. The program will continue with the academic year until June 2007. However, as mentioned earlier, the center and some of the activities are expected to continue.


December 2006

Everything looks new and clean…

All these books… this space..

For this Project, we are working with the local University. Some of the Language Therapy students are doing their practice in the Program. This model has worked very well with the communication imrovement program, therefore, we expect that it will also work in this case. These university students are very motivated and the children love them. Also, several young people from the community are participating in the activities. For example, on Mondays there is a local young man who has a music program with the children.

I like doing homework now…

We have two shifts for the Homework Clinics (morning and afternoon) to support the two shifts that the local schools have. At this point there are 30 children attending the program but we expect the number to continue to grow. Among these children there are some with disabilities. It has been a very interesting experience to see how a deaf child that is attending the program is teaching so many things to the other children.

 

Of course we can make our own costumes!

The program will continue with the academic year until June 2007.

The children's response to the Homework Clinics has been extraordinary. They are already showing their creativity when stimulated. For example, before Halloween, one of the women who work with them brought cardboards, paper, plastic bags and fabric. The children made their own costumes as part of one of the activities; the results show their excitement and talent. The pictures say it all.