In the Dominican Republic, there is a place where values of peace, justice, equality and respect are encouraged. This is the Saint Pedro Poveda Socio-Cultural Training Centre (CEFOSOP), one of the social projects run by the Teresian Association in the country. Children, teenagers and adults learn various artistic and communication skills through the programmes on offer.
It all began in 2016, but it was not until about a year later that the project was formally established. The area where it is located, La Vega in Palmarito, is a marginalised neighbourhood. At first, they faced considerable difficulties as it was getting established, but now, despite ongoing challenges, they have managed to raise the centre’s profile and have been running it for several years now.
Arts and Communication
Initially, we worked with children and teenagers (aged 7 to 17) in various areas. “In the arts section, we run courses in drawing and painting, percussion, piano and guitar, as well as classes in knitting and embroidery. In the communication area, we started with public speaking, then added English and, more recently, French,” explains Biviana Argentina Brito, a member of the Teresian Association (ACIT) and Coordinator of CEFOSOP.
Some of the local schools lack teaching staff trained to run workshops during extended school hours, so CEFOSOP sometimes provides direct support in these areas at its own premises, and at other times does so at the schools. To this end, they have collaboration agreements in place.
At present, there are people with a wide range of needs that come from rural areas and other neighbourhoods. There are also people here who do not face financial difficulties. “The idea is to provide significant support to the entire educational community. The schools, especially the largest in the area, have people with very diverse needs,” adds the coordinator. Around 50 children are currently taking part, and the programme is open to diversity as it welcomes children of other nationalities, specifically from the neighbouring country, Haiti.
Enmanuel Ysidor, chair of the Parents’ Committee, says that parents are aware of the great work being done with their children and feel very happy -- “Because they see how their children are able to express themselves with a microphone from a young age, or play instruments in a group as if it were a band—they play the drum, the piano… We are very proud to support this cause. The teachers are excellent people, serious, responsible and keen to contribute to society.”
Programmes
CEFOSOP runs five programmes. These are ecology and the environment, family, youth, social and cultural, gender equality and human development. Adults also take part in each of these programmes.
Yrma Rodríguez, coordinator of the Gender equality and Human Development programme and a member of the TA (ACIT), explains that this programme came about after instances of crime and domestic violence were identified in the province, and even cases of femicide across the country in general. “So, following a planning meeting, we launched a gender equality and human development project through which we could gradually address certain situations. It is based on something that is essential in order to bring about positive changes in human behaviour, namely education.”
Following a survey of the communities, they asked for courses that would enable them to start their own businesses, as there were many men and women out of work. “So we reached an agreement with the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP) to run courses on how to prepare snacks and on balloon decoration. At the same time, we have delivered training on effective financial management in schools, and given talks on promoting peace and harmonious coexistence among children, parents and school management teams.”
The coordinator says that all this work “is wonderful” because some of the participants have called to say they have secured work.
“This is ultimately what we want -- to support entrepreneurship and provide these opportunities.” In fact, they are looking into the possibility of launching further courses, such as one on “hairdressing”.
“We also organise other training activities to instil in children the importance of acting with respect and tolerance towards others, and to foster peaceful behaviour, always in line with our mission as TA and the legacy of our Saint Pedro Poveda. In the same vein, we work on the other programmes and areas we develop, and alongside this we form partnerships and work across the board in a strategic manner with the various teams.”
CEFOSOP is made possible thanks to the support of InteRed, the Teresian Association development NGO, and the partnerships it has established with various organisations. You can find out more HERE.
Teresa Rey.
Published in News