Resilience tool for children after Hurricane Maria

The beginning of 2019 has been very active in the process providing resilience tools to Punta Santiago's children. Our goal is for participants to have a better understanding of what it means to take care of themselves and of each other, and how that helps them become a more resilient person and community. We want to reach as many children and families as possible before the next hurricane season, so there is a lot of work still to be done!

Some of the tools we have used:

-116 children, aged 6 to 14, have received psychosocial services related to their family situation after Hurricane Maria;

-67 families benefited from different services, including group workshops about resilience and support regarding their children's academic progress; 

-Our Social Work and Psychology Services teams have served both adults and children through individual interventions and group counseling;

-Families have engaged in community service events as an experience on how to express solidarity with their neighbors;

-Children have also enjoyed several recreational activities, like kite flying by the ocean (the same ocean that flooded their neighborhood more than a year ago); book readings; theater and others.

-Preparedness has also been a topic discussed with families and children, with visits from first responders (like the local firestation); and workshops on how to prepare an emergency backpack.

The combined effect of these tools, and other we have put in place, is that the children in our community appear to be calmer, happier, and more willing to participate in preparedness processes that are part of community life. We believe that this transformation will carry them to a better future for them, their families and Punta Santiago.

We are happy to report our prevention programs have been very active this semester, and we have been noticing more smiles among our participants. 

Friends and allies were key in this process, by collaborating with events like the visit of Clowns Without Frontiers (they came back to Punta Santiago to visit specifically the elementary school in our neighborhood), and the recent Christmas parade and toy drive.

During the semester, we had laugh therapy sessions for parents and tutors, and workshops on managing emotions -- also for adults, as we know parents and teachers need these tools in order to teach children how to cope with life's challenges. All this happened while our social workers kept on their work with children through our programs.

We look forward to a Holiday season that our children will enjoy -- since so many of them did not have electric power and other services at home for last year's Christmas. 

Thanks to the Global Giving team and to all our donors for helping us teach local children about resilience.

We wish you a blessed 2019!