Play for development
We create safe spaces for coexistence and educational activities through art, sports, and play, where children, adolescents, and young people can propose, promote, and take part in activities that respond to their interests, and from there, work towards objectives for change.
Through these activities, and following a shared methodology, we promote the development of psychosocial skills, the ability to establish positive relationships and to make healthy decisions, and growth as individuals capable of asserting their rights in their community.
Components
We get together to play and train soccer with boys, girls and adolescents, with the intention of creating a safe space, where people have fun, feel comfortable and supported when learning, when making mistakes, and when discovering the personal and team challenges that sport poses.
It is a recreational space for boys and girls of primary age. We do games, outings, get togethers and other fun activities, in which they practice their psychosocial skills, have positive experiences and learn new ways of relating to themselves and others.
Through adventures in nature, such as cycling, hiking and camping, we promote the development of psychosocial skills, positive leadership and critical reflection on the environment in children and adolescents.
Space for coexistence and reflection between girls and women in which we address issues related to sexuality, self-care, relationships and gender, to promote the right to health and a life free of violence.
Formal education
We provide pedagogical support, school assistance, and reinforcement activities so that participants develop their skills and motivation toward learning, and thus find meaning in continuing their studies and learning what they need to live a fulfilling life.
We work with a "youth training youth" model, in which young people from the community are trained and serve as both educators and pedagogical advisors and positive role models for the children and adolescents participating in the program. The program has two projects, aimed at populations of different ages.
Components
A safe, motivating, and fun learning space where children with specific educational gaps explore new ways of learning to read, write, and discover knowledge.
We ensure the necessary resources for secondary school and high school adolescents to continue their studies, whether through school support, an adequate place to study, or a team of educators that facilitates learning and organizational skills.
Healthy Families
We know that the most important bonds for people are built within the family, and it is where we learn how to relate to ourselves and others. To generate sustainable changes in communities, it is necessary to work not only with individuals but also with families, understanding them as a system. That’s why, in this program, we carry out in-depth work with the families of our participants, through a home-based therapeutic intervention methodology, workshops and training sessions, guidance sessions, and different tools that help us promote family environments that enhance the development of all their members.
Components
A space for reflection on positive parenting practices, setting boundaries and establishing rules, communication, and dialogue.
A therapeutic support model for families, in their home, where we work together to strengthen parenting skills and reinforce positive parenting environments.
ASI No Jugamos (Child sexual abuse prevention)
At the core of Imaginalco is the commitment to ensuring the rights of children and adolescents to live a life free from violence and protected from all types of violence.
Based on the identified need, we have developed a comprehensive model to strengthen the community's capacity to prevent, detect, and address child sexual abuse. Using a community-based and systemic approach, and drawing from research on best practices and the participation of local stakeholders, we created this program and its components, which are currently being replicated in other contexts and by other organizations.
Components
Through workshops and training sessions, we increase knowledge, skills, and competencies in children and adolescents, as well as in caregivers and other protective figures, to prevent risks of sexual abuse and respond appropriately to cases.
Through our communication campaign "We don't play like THIS," we creatively design and disseminate sensitive and relevant messages to raise awareness of the issue at the local level and gain allies in preventing sexual abuse.
We provide information and therapeutic support to victims of child sexual abuse. We refer individuals to the appropriate services or institutions depending on the case.
Mictlan
Girls, boys, adolescents, and young people become leaders and protagonists of an annual community celebration centered on the Day of the Dead, through which we strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community.
Each year, we come together to create an artistic procession that moves through the town’s streets, drawing on our history and traditions while fostering moments of connection and interaction among diverse sectors of the community. Children and young people are at the heart of this process, strengthening their artistic and psychosocial skills along the way.
Project stages
Training a group of young people in artistic development, youth leadership, sense of agency, psychosocial development, and work with girls, boys, and adolescents. These young people will lead the community workshops.
We conduct workshops on movement, music, costume design, makeup, puppetry, and rhythm with adolescents, girls, and boys to collaboratively create an artistic offering.
Community celebration is created and led by the children and young people who participated in the process.
Components:
- parade
- interdisciplinary offering
- audiovisual piece
Harvesting results, organizing audiovisual records, and narrative of the experience, in order to share results, reflect on what was experienced, collect what was learned, and strengthen the sense of agency of the young participants.