Empathy:"Tangible Approach to Learning"
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
Esther
Matthew
Silverliningz International
, XX, Castries
After-School Provider, Coach, Teacher, Other.
Public (tuition-free)
1‐5 years
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Operating for 1‐5 years
Silverliningz provides an integral arts program which promotes emotional and social stability to marginalized children and youth.
We allow the students to use and create their own puppets, and film their own stories. They may choose to sell their own work.
Women and children from all over the island were affected by the excerpts from the "Vagina Monologues" which I had directed with my young theatrical group of 5 actresses from different jobs, backgrounds and religious affiliations. We went into communities notorious for domestic abuse and the community appreciated the performance as well as responded to emergency aides.
Young men(probationers) took to the streets to sell their "animal balloons" in order to create some form of income for themselves.
All students who began this program in January of 2011 were unruly and aggressive. To date, they are almost settled, sewing their creation of puppets, creating their stories, developing amateurish films, and some have been employed into firms outside our company. They are striving to be uphold the laws and rules of society.
Long lasting social and personal change in those who are a part. The
participants will have displayed greater self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, and purpose. Thus, rehabilitating juveniles and those at risk of being offended will be my focus. My studies will benefit any transformational program in any country because the expected outcome of the work will result in:
Increasing number of law-abiding citizens
Improvement in the employment skill level of the participants
Improved coping skills and a sense of responsibility towards themselves and the community
Produce theatrical performances nationally, regionally and internationally
Participants will have a sense of purpose and direction
Reduce number of drop-outs
Increase public awareness; by conducting productions/puppet shows,monthly or bi-monthly
Contact participants and guardians and link volunteer leaders to specific communities.
Provide resources, food and training within the households.
Rent an open space to accommodate participants.
Improve social and moral responsibility by using specific truthful past instances to highlight present issues
Provide and present materials to participants and observe development (grant some kind of autonomy).
Closely observe participant behavior while "owning" the materials
Take participants into the community to showcase their progress and recruit other interested participants.
Theater has allowed students to reveal deep truths about themselves that open the door to understanding their behavior through "emotional recall". One incident which is etched in my mind is the "Engaged Incident": a very disruptive student revealed to a class of 12 students that she had been raped by a relative. She reiterated that she had told no one in her family about the incident and this was her first reveal. May I add that this was a grade 10 class of Theater students. The student's classmates were so deeply engaged that their eyes were filled with tears when the revelation was complete. As a teacher, I understood the reason for her truant and uncouth behavior in school. The event that occurred after, touched my core. All the students rallied around the student and hugged her--this exercise was therapy for each student. This was an "AHA" moment for me.
Also, I was part of a similar program from the time I was 6 (six)years old. I acted and also was led to create my own puppets.
We have merged with one governmental department; Division of Human Services, Court Diversion Department. Our role is to guide the probationers through drama;
We also volunteer our services with Hope Academy, a NGO which is committed to keeping potential drop outs in school by providing after school assistance in various areas using puppets and drama.
Volunteers are definitely a must. But, we will also need resource personnel to train staff. Therefore we will need paid staff, and staff who are full time and part time workers. Crew members and actors/actresses for productions will create a heightened awareness for the public attendance of plays.
We have recognized that there is much talent among our participants as well as resources. We are rich with talent. Many of our participants already can vocalize like puppets, creating a special form of entertainment for their listeners. Some can also use a needle and thread well, or even sewing machines. Our personnel can also create new ideas to help better another idea or activity.