Arts & Crafts for At-Risk Children in Oaxaca

Over time, children in the Istmo have stopped playing in public spaces. Few adults teach children the traditional games that take them outdoors, and few inspire them to grow in healthy ways in the streets of Unión Hidalgo. Back when we were children, we did not need a workshop or an invitation to come up with creative games and learn by trial and error. But as family dynamics have changed and life has become less safe, public spaces are now used mainly by older youth and adults. We no longer see children free to take up space, lots of space. That is why, alongside our Mujeres Mapeando el Territorio program, we created activities that could offer children something that reconnects them with their territory, allowing them to grow freely and without fear.

During the weeks of November, the women in our community took part in a learning circle on herbalism and plant medicine. At the same time, we brought their children to make kites with teacher and artist Edrey, who grew up in Unión Hidalgo and created the learning space “Alas para Volar,” dedicated to children. All it took was tissue paper, string, little sticks, and glue for us to find both the power and the excuse to head out to the Zapotalito sports field and face the wind, which betrayed us a little that day by pretending to be weak and still. But the children, brave and persistent, together with all the adults we had gathered, tried to send their kites with their long, long tails up into the sky.

Many of the kites got tangled. Frustration bubbled up in all of us. But in the end, with calm and balance, the teacher reminded them that, “If things do not turn out the way we hoped, that is okay too.” As guiding adults, we repeated that mantra several times ourselves, and in the end, we had fun too.

Regina’s father, one of the participants, joined us and told us that in earlier times, to make the most of the region’s impressive winds, it was very common to make kites with whatever was within reach, plastic bags and sticks from the trees. But now, teachers like Edrey are needed to awaken that curious eye in children. Another father, Joshua’s dad, watched us for a long while from the park entrance. Little by little he came closer, and in the end he became one more volunteer, helping hold the discouragement brought on by the missing wind, which still managed to leave us with laughter and many lessons.

“As adults, we experienced a deep reflection on how to accompany children’s emotions in a loving and peaceful way. That is what they need. That is the seed,” our colleague Sara said at the end of the workshop.

Finally, something happened that moved us deeply and reminded us how important it is to keep creating safe learning spaces like the ones we build at UMPO. Two sisters had to miss several days of the workshop because their grandmother passed away, but on the final day they came to fly kites and eat fruit with the whole group. The girls were joyful, and their family was grateful to be able to bring them into this moment of recreation, which that day became a space of comfort and care.

Nurturing creativity, free play, and the right to occupy public space is key to building a stronger community, one filled with trust and affection. Thank you for helping care for the youngest among us. That is where we must look if we want to change the world.