Today, in our STORIES FROM ANOTHER WORLD, we share the witnessing of José Magro. José is our psychologist coordinator of Golden Beehive, but today he will tell us how Dayamit youth are facing his “Life skills” course… what is this? Let’s discover through his words…
“The first three months of our course have just passed and the kids are already starting to show the ability to connect their personal story to the content presented in class. In fact, the issues are in themselves very proactive and the young people, in turn, willingly let themselves be involved to treasure them. In this way, we renew the interest in continuing to offer a safe and healthy space where students can deal safely and guided with topics that have to do with their development and growth. Favoring this psychosocial setting for students is being able in some way to also give the community the chance to become the beneficiary of the fruits that have matured during our educational journey.
The Life Skills Course is marked by topics such as emotions, self-esteem, self-awareness, coping and resilience, self-efficacy to which laboratory-type activities are incorporated that allow students to experience and not only learn a theory. They are invited to ‘jump in’ giving themselves permission to experiment with new situations never thought of before. We have particularly dedicated enough time to some of these activities. For example, the S.O.S.I.A. – acronym that stands for Sense, Opinion, Feelings, Intention and Action – is a suitable tool to help the person become aware of the dynamics that accompany the experience of a particular situation in life. The register of new information and the appropriately matured reflections consequently allow the subject to make appropriate choices for a constructive development of well-being and fulfillment. Another tool used and much appreciated by the students was ‘La Finestra di Orari’. Again, the fundamental theme refers to the aspect of self-awareness. Furthermore, it stimulates the person to identify ways in which to spread the level of knowledge of himself, depriving himself of relationships with others. Another activity heard by the class was the ‘Wheel of Life’. The latter is a tool that allows the person to vitalize where they are, here and now, in their choices, interests or where they are most engaging their energies. The specificity of this tool is not a question of imagining how one would like to be, but of seeing how one is experiencing one’s choices regarding everyday issues such as relationships with family and friends, the world of work, free time, etc.
The topics addressed in the classroom and, above all, the moments of sharing made in an appropriate setting, are arousing in the children the exploratory ability that allows them to have their say, to share their opinion, abandoning those answers made automatically “why yes!” ” why not!”. This aspect tells not only the maturation process that has started which fosters their ability to ask themselves the driving motivation in a choice but also to feel self-confidence.
The Life Skills Course follows with the second stage, presenting the other topics not yet proposed. At the end of the classes, time will be dedicated to reading and comparing the results of the Vocational Test administered at the beginning of the course and the observations made during the various activities. We hope that every male and female student has had the opportunity to get to know each other a little better, to adopt a flexible way of dealing with life’s situations and to learn how to learn. In fact, life demands a lot from each of us and allows each one to explore / make the most of the personal resources that he has at his disposal or that he acquires during his pilgrimage.”
So, our youth from Dayamit are building strong basis for their future, not only through vocational trainings but also with a strong work on their self-esteem.
Thanks to José for his work and his precious experience!
And good luck to all youth in Dayamit!
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