Growing Free of Gendered Violence in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica from December until January, there is a school break for girls and boys, therefore at ILORI we took the opportunity to open a summer space that allows our beneficiaries to participate in activities at Casa ILORI, taking into account that many of these girls and boys generally remain at home during this vacation period. These summer activities are essential for us and have two centerlines.

This year, we focused on carrying out strengthening for schoolchildren left behind in the educational progress, whereby we provided space for a literacy kit delivery to continue with reading stimulation at home through a workshop that every mother received from the Foundation. At the same time, as part of the support in mathematical logic, logical reasoning activities and strengthening multiplication tables were carried out through digital tools, as well financial education, which is a key within the social and economic development of the future generations.

 Having mentioned this, soft skills development is very important for us from a gender perspective which is why we felt encourage to execute these summer activities where we held yoga workshops that we frequently do at the foundation as it allows you to exercise the body and mind. We also had filigree workshops and it consist of the art of molding paper, this activity helps to develop fine motor skills. In addition, there were board games that involved cooperation, which allowed us to potentiate the teamwork.

On the other hand, we carried out a castration and animal health campaign aimed to the community in alliance with Costa Rica Guau organization, we also conducted bracelet and break dance workshops. Finally, we had chess workshops in alliance with La Municipalidad de San José.

This is a small summary of what we have done so far this year. And we thank you again for your donation and support to make this possible.

During these months, we have carried out multiple activities at Casa ILORI that connect with team and individual work, incorporating concepts such as human and children's rights. For us it is very important that each activity we perform has both, value and learning that helps to build children's life project.

 Among the activities that we have had, stands out the execution of a workshop that had the objective of developing imagination, creativity, and manual skills through the creation of already known and unpublished characters to later, generate a story or tale with those characters which were made with recycled materials.

 Also, an extra activity that was conducted and was funny for the children was where each of them made a T-shirt with the "Dyi" technique, this moment was magic for them, allowing them once again develop their manual skills.   

 In addition, another outstanding and very important activity for Casa ILORI was the celebration of Children's Day, which in Costa Rica is celebrated on September 9^th of each year. This year, we managed to coordinate with the Municipal Police of San José the loan of an inflatable for the youngest children, we also had a neon room in which they were guided through a story, an additional section of electronic games and finally, a movie was presented for the oldest ones.

 Each of these activities is highlighted for having a gender approach in which we recognize our diversity as human beings but, understanding that we all have the same rights.

 That is why having your support is so valuable for us and, we appreciate that you are part of the consolidation of ILORI’s children life projects.   

In Costa Rica, the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic were gradually withdrawn, until now that, there are almost no restrictions. Despite this, we understand that the pandemic is not over yet therefore, at Casa ILORI we continue implementing the sanitary measures such hand hygiene and mask wearing. Nevertheless, the positive side of the restrictions withdrawal is that, we managed to re-open the institution by restoring some of the activities that helps strengthen discipline, commitment, leadership and empathy from the children of La Carpio.

As part of the commitment and development of soft skills, from a gender perspective in Casa ILORI we have been restarting workshops such dancing, self-defense and yoga, we love having options to feel the emotions and express them through movement and imagination from an early age.

Another effort that has been empowered is the reading circles, we started with the mothers of ILORI´s children interesting in develop reading skills. These spaces promote reading at home and thus, be able to motivate their children the love of reading and at the same time, it creates the habit in not only the children but in the whole family. This initiative is very important because due to conscious reading we can avoid racism, sexism, xenophobia and discrimination of any type, achieving ILORI´s children and society wellness. For that reason, our effort is always inclusive and shared, seeking to make changes in the community, but also in society.

Thanks for your support. 

Links:

• Report on the ILORI Project

100% of the children we serve have access to activities and spaces that promote a better coexistence with their peers and significant others, based on principles of respect and empathy for equality.

The development of soft skills has become a very important transversal axis in all the work we do. When promoting gender equality among children is most important to equip them to develop self-control and other soft skills such as empathy. And it is crucial to do it in all interaction spaces and activities. An example is the Spanish workshops based on the reading of the book The Little Prince, in which in addition to literacy, we also encourage them to look into the socio-emotional aspects addressed in the book.

Also, some specific initiatives where equality was addressed, were the participation of sixth graders in a consultation carried out by UNICEF on issues such as migration, discrimination, xenophobia, and how to promote inclusion in educational and social spaces; and workshops implemented in coordination with the Office of Prevention of the Municipality of San José for the development of executive skills. In our daily work, we also use cooperative work and games to teach kids the importance of self-control, respect, and empathy when the expected outcome is success and wellbeing for all.

Links:

• Website
• Our daily work
• YouTube Channel

What we call "normal life" has changed a lot since 2020. That "normal life" was already challenging for the children in the community of Carpio in San José, Costa Rica, and the new circumstances the Pandemic has faced us with keep deteriorating the community and especially the lives of children. Imagine a 10-year-old girl, have 3 more siblings and her mom has lost her job cleaning homes –her employers were concerned she may contract COVID-19 while commuting by bus–; there is no Internet connection in the house and her mom has a smartphone but no money to pay for the service most of the time. Her father has been out of a job for a while now. When they fight there is no place to hide as there is only one room in the house. Besides, schools are not fully operating yet and children lack the guidance to learn the contents of the curriculum.

That's what kids in the community face on a daily basis. That's why your support is so important. Your help allows us to provide children with socioemotional support. We have extended the activities of the project to meet the needs that are not being provided in their homes, such as access to the Internet and computers, food, and academic tutoring. In all we do we promote and are role models of gender equality and embracing diversity.

In difficult times, creativity, innovation, and hard work are the ingredients for success. However even more important is to love what we do and walk our talk, and those are the principles of our work.

We are grateful for your great support and are counting on you to do the good work. 

Thank you!

Links:

• Our daily work
• Original materials and more