Casa College

On November 14, 2023, as part of our project "NFE for Dis," we implemented another local activity at Casa College in Nicosia with 15 youngsters.We started with the activity in pairs; one was guiding and the other was blindfolded and then they switched roles. Afterwards,we continued with another similar activity but this time we had one leader who was responsible for guiding the whole blindfolded group. 

For sure, this was more challenging but they also mentioned that they felt more trust in this case than in the previous activity. Furthermore,we continued with the activities from dance therapy and we moved through a scarf. A person has a scarf and does different movements and all the participants follow by moving their bodies as they perceive the movements and then whoever wishes of the participants could also try as a leader. Overall, this exercise helped to strengthen the bond within the group and promote a supportive environment. 

Then, they divided into pairs and they had to have a conversation with the scarf. One was making a movement and when he stopped, the other was "answering" through the scarf.They enjoyed it a lot and they told us that they felt that we were talking and had a conversation and they realized that we can communicate not only verbally but also in other ways. This activity allowed them to explore non-verbal communication and understand the importance of body language and gestures in conveying messages. It also fostered creativity and imagination, as they had to come up with unique movements and responses using the scarf.

Last but not least,we proceeded with the mask activity. The activity is that they have to write or draw on one side how they feel about themselves and on the other side how they believe that others see them. We noticed that some participants got very emotional through this activity and that they realized a lot about themselves. The mask activity allowed participants to explore their self-perception and gain insight into how others perceive them. It provided a powerful opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. The emotional reactions observed during this activity demonstrated the profound impact it had on the participants' self-awareness and understanding of their relationships with others. Overall, all these activities helped participants raise awareness among people with disabilities by promoting empathy and understanding. By engaging in these activities, participants were able to challenge their preconceived notions and stereotypes about people with disabilities. This increased awareness can lead to a more inclusive and accepting society where individuals with disabilities are valued for their unique abilities and contributions.