PROJECT: GRADUATION

Yesterday was day one of PROJECT: GRADUATION. The pre-K (pre-premarios as they are called here) are graduating from the community center’s program this Friday. There is much to do in preparation for this day. One of the most significant parts of PROJECT: GRADUATION is the second annual mural. This mural has become a new tradition at el centro. At the start of the program, each age group is given a name that stays with them throughout their time at el centro. When the time comes for them to graduate, each class of pre-premarios gets a mural painted in their honor. Last year, los peces (fish) graduated. This year, las abejas (bees) are about to walk across that same stage and Maria and I will be there to see it.

First stop, Accion Callejera’s Juvenile Center in el Calle del Sol. This is where I’ve volunteered for the past two spring breaks. The last time I was there, the days would usually start with a plethora of simultaneous games ranging from dominoes to cards to ping pong. There would be an educational component of the day such as HIV/AIDS awareness, lessons to avoid fighting when handling disagreements, or the importance of hygiene. The boys (ages 8-14) would then organize into teams to play sports outside on the cancha (court). I enjoyed every moment being with those kids, so I was excited to go back to the place where I had so many happy moments. When we arrived, it was one after the other as I greeted staff members, the children, many of them old friends. Although I miss being at the Accion Callejera Juvenile center, I knew that the community center in Yaguita was the best place for me this summer. There is a lot of potential for me to work on my research regarding the preservation of culture one seed at a time. After the brief visit, we headed back to the community center; this time with an even larger smile on my face.  

PROJECT: GRADUATION is still a go! After getting all the supplies (brushes, and a whole rainbow of paint cans), it was time to start on the mural. The design was already stenciled on the wall; so, unfortunately, I did not get to show off my awesome stick figure drawings. I have never painted a mural before, but after yesterday, I guess I can check it off my bucket list. The most powerful aspect about murals--and any artwork for that matter--is its tangibility. You can sense it through touch and sight; it can be the physical embodiment of an emotion, perspective, or idea. Simply, it is a means of communicating to the world. The mural we started working on yesterday was a celebration of success through education. This mural will be one of many celebrations to decorate the walls of Accion Callejera. Today we continued working on the mural. How does it look so far?

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