Children from Holguín in Cuba take part in the ‘Cuéntalo conmigo’ activity, an initiative aimed at encouraging reading and human values.
Saint Pedro Poveda left an important lesson that remains relevant today -- ‘Give me a vocation and I will give you a method, a school, a system of teaching’. Under this motto, the Guidance and Support Centre (COA) and the Saint Pedro Poveda Resource Centre (both run by the Teresian Association that was founded by Poveda), invited children and teenagers that take part in their programmes and others from across the city on Saturday 18 April to a “Tell it with me” event, an initiative dedicated to encouraging reading and human values.
The event was hosted by singer-songwriter Laynier Verdecia Blanco and Yensy Cruz Ricardo, who invited the children to choose their dream jobs and careers. Asking questions such as “Who wants to be a doctor?”, “Who wants to be a teacher?” or “Who wants to be an artist?”, the children raised their hands while she encouraged them to imagine a future full of possibilities. They then sang several songs together, including “Lo feo” by Teresita Fernández, a song that teaches us to value kindness over appearances. Lay Verdecia accompanied them on his guitar. They also included other activities where the children sang and danced, and he was joined by guitarists from the COA guitar workshop.
Glenda Pavón, an arts instructor specialising in theatre, shared with the children a presentation of the book ‘Meñique’, a story that forms part of ‘La Edad de Oro’ (The Golden Age), a work by José Martí. By using theatrical techniques, voice changes and gestures, she brought the characters to life, making them leap from the pages into the room. The children listened to the adventures of Meñique, that clever little boy who overcomes obstacles. At the end, the instructor opened a discussion with those present, asking them what values they had discovered in the story. Perseverance, humility and ingenuity were some of the answers.
There was no shortage of games. The children were organised into teams for activities that combined questions about the stories they had heard, riddles and physical challenges. Many parents joined in the activities, forming circles to sing or helping their children solve the clues. The library was transformed into a space where generations came together.
Parents and organisers agreed on the need to repeat these events which bring literature closer to children and strengthen family and community ties.
They also expressed their gratitude. In the words of the mother of one of the participating girls:
“Thank you always for being so special,” she said. “As Eliseo Diego would say, ‘It is the best place to be’.”
Alexis Pupo Mico, Holguin.
TA Translators Team.
Published in News