CODENI Workshops

Our workshops area has a new coordinator who is expanding the creative and productive activities that we offer to our children. The population has shown great interest and enthusiasm in the new dynamics.

“Mairo Leo” is teaching the teenagers to work with leather. They are currently making wallets. Each participant is designing their own wallet, cutting the patterns, adding accessories and decorating their final product.

Our younger children continue in the final phase of the puppet workshop where they are making puppets and rehearsing each week in CODENI for a final production at the end of the course. They have also been making piñatas. They begin by making the center container to hold the candy with a balloon, paper and glue. Once it dries, each child paints and decorates their piñata as they like.

Adolescents paint a new mural in Casa CODENI

We are pleased to present our new mural in the main patio of Casa CODENI. The mural represents the effort of CODENI to promote a change of consciousness in the families who participate in CODENI to help them overcome their dependence on the streets. The images come from two photographs taken by Josh Meltzer, who was with CODENI on a Fulbright scholarship in 2008-2009.

The part under the stairs represents the work of the families in the streets, while the part above the stairs reflects their great efforts to better their lives and accomplish their dreams through education.

The painting was made possible with the direction and collaboration of locally renowned artist, César Plasencia, who accompanied three adolescents who participate in CODENI’s artistic expression workshop: Mariana Miguel, Marco Almaguer and Lorenzo Juárez. Educator Diego Ayala, who leads the course, coordinated the project.

The mural was produced by mixing techniques of acrylic and spray painting on a pencil sketch.  

What’s new in CODENI so far in 2012?

Education: During this quarter, we implemented a multimedia workshop to improve the writing and reading skills of our children in 1st and 2nd grade. We also began an English workshop for teenagers thanks to a volunteer team from the American Consulate.

We continue with the participation of over one hundred children in the homework help club and personalized tutoring.  Additionally, with the help of our volunteers, in this period we developed a resource center with specialized exercises to attend specific academic needs of each child.

Workshops:  Children from ages 6 to 12 have been participating in art and puppet-making workshops this quarter.  They have created kites, crepe paper characters, clown masks and sock monkeys.

Meanwhile our teenagers are involved in life projects and preventive and educational workshops addressing risks such as teen pregnancy, HIV, drug addictions and bullying.

On Saturdays, children and teens participate in photography, percussion and urban art workshops.

Recreation: Though different games and interactive dynamics we are reinforcing the values and rights taught in the workshops area.  In December, we completed a new manual for the recreation area with more than 150 recreational dynamics with pedagogical basis.

During their spare time, boys and girls enjoy different games in the playroom, including football, puzzles and Match.

Street outreach: In the first quarter of 2012, the Street Outreach Team has been sought to strengthen and reinforce bonds with the population of child laborers in the streets of downtown. Three nights per week the team offers basic educational support and recreational activities to children and teenagers who work in this part of the city.

There are currently around 25 children and teens participating in this space each afternoon, of which 10 are ready to enter the second phase of our programs in Casa CODENI.

NUTRITION NOW IN CODENI

Starting in April, CODENI began a program of nutritional counseling for our families. The aim of the program is to promote healthier dietary habits, according to the needs and lifestyles of each family and individual. Thanks to the support of two volunteers studying nutrition at the UNIVA university, families have access to personal consultations and monthly follow ups.  So far the program has been a great success!  Here’s to a healthier CODENI community!

Art Workshops

CODENI A.C., runs artistic expression workshop, which fall under the Life Project Program. They are intended to encourage creativity from a collective and individual perspective and promote the development of children and adolescents. This workshop supports a forum of expression where they can translate their thoughts and emotions by living in a healthy and creative world of unlimited expressive art.

The boys, girls and adolescents that are currently attending the workshops are in second phase; their ages range from 11 to 16 years old.

 The workshop is given by the “mairo” Diego Partida             (from Guadalajara, Mexico) and Vanessa Freigtag a Brazilian volunteer.

Currently, we are working with stencils, portraits, drawings, collages, and composition techniques. All of this culminates with the vision to develop their artistic and creative capacities and by this to demonstrate their talent while building confidence.

By: Diego Partida "Art Workshop Mairo".

Street Outreach

Today we are proud to thank all the hard work that the “mairos” (teachers and friends), have accomplished with the girls, boys and adolescents that work in Guadalajara´s downtown area. Today we have a new record of 40 children and adolescents in First phase participating in our street space.

CODENI´S population puts forth huge efforts in attending school, working and also participating in our street workshops, where they receive educational support and participate in recreational games that support their physic development. Having the option of these activities improves their capabilities to socialize and be a part of a very special collective that work to foster.

Street outreach is an educational development and social strengthening area that takes place in Plaza Liberación each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We support two simultaneous groups with an educational and recreational space that leads activities to get to know the needs of our children and adolescents. Later they can successfully integrate to the second and third phase where CASA CODENI offers more structured activities; by doing this the “mairos” can value the situations the kids and adolescents live on a daily basis.

One of the activities that helps us to know more about their cognitive development is their homework. Additionally, with their drawings, we can appreciate their creativity and expression; through ludic activities and playing soccer for example, we realize their social character.

Each of the previous assessments enables the team work to perceive the needs that require greater intervention and to act adequately. All this is supported by the operational areas including Social Work, Psychology, Education, Workshops, Recreation and Volunteers. We take every chance to get to know our population better.  Through this space, we can develop this conscious and encourage the kids to fulfill their potential and build strong characteristics and skills that will support them in the future.

Our work group has fostered a positive space in Plaza Liberacion in the center of Guadalajara, and it is well recognized for CODENI’s work with the families of our kids and adolescents in downtown area. Not just the children and teenagers attend either, their parents show up and talk with the social worker and have asked for support in various situations. Here we are able to connect mothers to different organizations o institutions that correspond to each situation. In the end, it is invaluable to support and empower the population that we work with.

Thanks to each member of the team that contributes an enormous effort to support CODENI’s activities and projects in our street outreach.

By: Diego Partida "Street Outreach Mairo".

Who is Mairo Tonio?

Juan Antonio Tessada Magaña (Mairo Tonio) received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Guadalajara (CUCSH 2003); beginning his studies he learned to undertake himself and the world that surrounds him.
“Learn to learn” recognizes that it is possible to develop a new mentality of understanding and exchange that includes material and intellectual resources. With this understanding developed “Agorá”, an urban comunity space, where through workshops and discovering new forms of sustainability, a new community space was within the city. In the education field, this is a group of thinkers in the forefront of intercultural models of education in the state of Jalisco.
Today, in CODENI, as the General Director, Tonio looks to impact other organizations on a national and international level to address the wide spread vulnerabilities and violations of human rights that affect children and adolescents that CODENI works to accompany and empower.
“Without respect of dignity and personal development one cannot aspire to a solid base of social development which we look to create through collective and community work.”