Come join the CODENI Circus!

This summer our children and teens participated in summer courses with the theme of circus arts. Activities included juggling, acrobatic dance on hanging fabrics, stilts and professional face painting.

The acrobatic dance is one of the activities that generated high interest among the children, as they have learned to climb nearly two stories and do choreography in the air as their skills improve.

The activities in the juggling classes included equipment such as pins, balancing poles, balls and rings. For the stilts lessons the children take turns being spotted by the instructor and an educator. Little by little they learned to balance themselves and have greater confidence at new heights.

In the face-painting class, children learned to paint their own faces and those of others. Themes have included different animals, injuries, zombies, ferries and mimes.

During the summer we also held artistic workshops with different techniques such as sketching, oil painting and water colors.

The final show took place on Friday, August  17^th, where participants showed  off their new skills and routines to parents, staff and other members of the CODENI community.

CODENI graduation and scholarships

Once again CODENI held its annual graduation in July where we recognized participants who have earned scholarships for next school year. On this occasion the event took place in the auditorium Patio de los Ángeles in downtown Guadalajara.

In the event, each of the educators took a moment to thank and congratulate the families and children for having completed yet another year of their formal education and encouraged them to continue reaching their goals.

Elementary, middle and high school graduates were then recognized and scholarships were handed out to the children and teens who have demonstrated outstanding participation during the past year in school and in Codeni. Thanks to their “godparents” who sponsor these scholarships each year, they will be able to buy all that they need for the new school year: uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, etc.

For the 2012-2013 school year, 84 participants in CODENI earned scholarships, marking a new record since the program began in 2007. Each month more children enter CODENI determined to increase this number even more next school year.  

Congratulations to the scholarship winners and thanks to the godparents for making this program such a success!

Recreation

In CODENI we have experienced some changes in the Recreation area, including the integration of “Mairo Fernando” to the team as the new coordinator of this area. With his arrival the activities have taken on a new rhythm and generated interest and different expectations from the children in CODENI, who are feeling more and more a part of the activities with Fernando.

Soccer, interactive games based on mental exercises, songs, taekwondo, foosball and games to improve coordination are some of the activities that Fernando has been implementing during his first month in CODENI. 

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!