PROYECTO DESARROLLO DE LA CREATIVIDAD Y LA AUTOESTIMA PARA LA RESOLUCIÓN DE PROBLEMAS (Project “Developing creativity and self esteem to resolve problems”)

In Cuernavaca, a city of one million close to Mexico City, the poorest families live abandoned train tracks. Their children are at high risk of homelessness, but Proyecto Desarrollo helps them to find options other than the street.

The first step in the program was to establish trust with the families that live on the tracks (during a site visit by SAL staff, this trust was obvious). Today, Proyecto Desarrollo provides fun workshops for at-risk kids: art, drawing, and karate. As the kids become more involved, and learn that learning can be fun, they can also participate in other programs: help with their homework, sewing lessons, and other practical workshops. The children learn to solve problems in the community and to take responsibility for what they do.

Unexpectedly, the program has had almost as much impact on the lives of families as on their children. Years ago, families living on different tracks fought constantly, but now that their children are friends, so are the parents. The program has also worked hard to provide alternatives to drug dealing.

The program serves 90 children.

Proyecto Desarrollo de la creatividad y la autoestima para la resolución de problemas

tel: 312 8542 o 315 9347

contact: Lilia Susana Dominguéz Marrufo

lsdm9121@hotmail.com,