Education Panama Project #25671

Empower Youth Transition from Orphanage to Society

by Transicion a la Vida

Empower Youth Transition from Orphanage to Society

Project Report | Mar 22, 2024
Charting Progress: Report from the Start of 2024

By Lucija Rozic | Team Member

"Sow the Seeds of Self-Discovery; Harvest a Brighter Tomorrow"

In the past two months, our journey has been guided by this mantra. During this time, our focus has been on fostering self-awareness and understanding one's identity. Participants engaged in a comprehensive 15 hour workshop module covering essential topics such as self-esteem, self-respect, self-care, and nurturing healthy relationships. Above all, they learned the importance of self-love.

In addition to workshops, participants benefited from mentoring, sessions with a psychologist, and individual guidance from the program coordinator.

As the program progressed, we observed a beautiful dynamic unfolding among our participants. Newcomers are gradually getting to know each other, forming bonds, and easing into the program's atmosphere, while second-year participants demonstrate remarkable maturity, self-assurance, and a strong sense of fellowship. This evolution reflects the transformative journey each participant undergoes, from an initial feeling of insecurity to a sense of belonging and growth.

Our observations revealed that introspection is both challenging and perpetual, yet it leads the way to acceptance and happiness. Each Saturday, we witnessed increased engagement and connection with our participants. We look forward to observing their growth and seeing the individuals they will become in the future.

Stay tuned as we delve into new experiences, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support.

Your TaV Team

Links:

Get to know our mentoring program - Elementor

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Nov 24, 2023
Challenges Faced by Caregivers in Orphanages

By Lucija Rozic | Team member

In this chapter, we aim to give you insights into the top three challenges faced by caregivers, obtained from our direct involvement and experience alongside them.

One of the most profound challenges revolves around the emotional toll these caregivers endure.
The task of forging meaningful emotional connections with a multitude of children is quite demanding, impacting the depth of relationships they form with every individual under their care. Moreover, the continual exposure to the traumatic experiences of these children can significantly contribute to caregiver burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.

The second biggest limitation are financial constraints of the institutions that lead to staffing shortages: Understaffing leads to increased workloads, reduced individual attention, and compromised care quality.

The last big challenge we would like to mention is lack of training.

Insufficient training poses a significant challenge as many caregivers lack adequate preparation in trauma-informed care, child psychology, and specialized caregiving techniques, affecting their capacity to meet the unique needs of children under their care. Additionally, the absence of counseling services or peer support worsens the stress and challenges faced by caregivers.

Addressing these challenges requires a flexible plan that includes improved training, better support systems. By recognizing and addressing these challenges, we can empower caregivers and, ultimately, improve the well-being of children under their care.

With our program, we're taking steps to address these challenges, yet we recognize that these are just the surface of deeper issues. We're committed to ongoing efforts, continuously striving to provide as much support as possible to the caregivers who dedicate themselves to this crucial task.

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Sep 22, 2023
Youth with disabilities

By Lucija Rozic | Team Member

Participants

"Inclusion is not merely a matter of political correctness; it is the key to growth." - Jesse Jackson

The inclusion of youth with disabilities is not only a matter of social justice but also a wise investment in the future. It promotes diversity, equal opportunities, and understanding, benefiting both individuals and society. It enables them to develop skills and pursue careers, making them valuable contributors to the workforce. This not only benefits them personally but also boosts the economy.

However, to achieve complete inclusion, we need to change people's attitudes and make it easier for everyone to access support services. By working together to overcome these challenges, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where every youth, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

To make a meaningful start, we have initiated our efforts with our participants who will soon play an active role in society.

As part of the "Sensitivity Training" they are attending, we organized a joint training session in collaboration with Special Olympics Panama. During this event, the young participants had the opportunity to lead activities and learn about raising awareness and integrating people with different abilities through games and dynamic exercises. This experience was invaluable for both the young people and us as a team.

In addition to the joint training with Special Olympics Panama, our youth also participated in an inclusion workshop, led by a group of facilitators with visual impairments, allowing our young people to better understand and appreciate the importance of inclusion in all its forms.

We are also pleased to share that we are in the process of moving to a new office with the firm intention of guaranteeing that our physical space meets all the necessary conditions to continue providing the highest quality services. This move also aligns with our goal of increasing the participation of youth with disabilities in our program. For instance, the new office is equipped with an elevator, making it more accessible to individuals with mobility challenges. We are excited about the opportunities this new location will bring and look forward to sharing more details about it soon.

Until next time,

Your TaV team

Participants

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