Local Training
Local Training, Hylatio Tourist Village, 10 - 11 of June 2023
As a part of a KA210YOU project, we implemented this weekend (10-11 of June), a local training with youth workers from different organizations in Cyprus using non-formal educational methods for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Hylatio Tourist village in Pissouri village, www.hylatio.com .
In the training took part more than 15 youthworkers from more than 10 organisations. Activities were implemented saturday whole day and sunday moring.
The activities were implemented by 2 of the four youth workers (Dimitra and Gabriela) that they trained during our training in Pissouri under the guidance of the trainer Erma and, we chose some of the activities from all the disabilities that we work through this project (mobility, blind and mental disabilities)
Day 1: Non formal Education Activities for the inclusion of people with Mobility Disability.
We started by an introduction to the project but also about mobility disability. After a name game, we did the mask activity. This art activity is about decorating the outside part of a mask in the way that others or the outside world see us and also decorate the inside of the mask, representing how we see ourselves. Using a mask is perfect as a metaphor for exploring the different aspects of ourselves. There's something about masks - that really pulls us in, evokes feelings, and actually has a long tradition in many cultures. It's a powerful symbol that helps us share our human experience. Creating this mask helps us express what we haven't been able to express before. It lets us think deeply about who we are, what is the "mask" that we wear on the outside and how that is similar to who we are inside. Share our real experience. This project assumes that we all have masks we wear, different aspects of ourselves that are seen or not seen on the outside. It's okay to have these things, and this process just helps us understand ourselves more, accept our different aspects more. We simply bring more awareness to this and practice embracing all of who we are.
Creating a play in pairs: Then we continued with a drama therapy activity called "Creating a play in Pairs".
This activity fosters creativity and playfulness and is developing listening skills and collaborative work through participants by introducing drama therapy techniques.The participants divided in pairs of two and they described their house to each other and later they draw a picture of a partner's house.Then they exchange drawings with their partner and take some moment to briefly comment on the process and the drawing that they received.The group went of the room, and members are instructed to re-enter the space, as if they were visiting a museum. Pairs walked around the room, looking at the houses exhibited, and leaving brief suggestions about "who (what characters) live in these houses?" And then they created characters and gave them some time to prepare a mini theater play and present it to the group.
First Phase: In pairs of two,they are drawing each other house:
2nd Phase: Participants are writing their suggestions about which characters could live in these houses.
Saturday 10 of June 2023 (afternoon)
Non formal Education Activities for the inclusion of people with vision Disability.
In the afternoon, we introduced and did an introduction about blind disability, and we explained theoretically on how to guide and walk with a blind person. Then we asked the participants to get themselves into pairs, and then to tie the cloth around the eyes of one person in each pair so that they cannot see anything. The person who is not blindfolded then leads the blindfolded person around 10 minutes and then they change roles. This exercise helps to have the participants experience how it feels to be 'blind', or to lack knowledge of some aspects of what is happening. Also, it raises awareness about the feelings and needs of people who may need assistance. It will engage the heart by understanding and feeling how people who may need assistance feel.
Mystery Room: One by one, the participants of our experiment were blindfolded and led into a room specially designed with multiple materials, guided by a rope, to provide a sensorial experience. Once inside, they were free to explore the area and interact with the materials as they pleased. The benefits of this experiment are numerous. It provides an opportunity for participants to explore their senses and to interact with materials in a new and exciting way. It also encourages creativity, as participants have to use their imagination to make sense of the environment and come up with new ideas. Additionally, by being blindfolded, participants are forced to rely on their other senses, which can help them become more aware of their surroundings. Ultimately, this activity fosters an environment of exploration, creativity and discovery.
Sutarday 10 of June (night)
Of course as in each training of NGO ACPELIA non formal education is coming always through fun, dance, music and singing activities. In the following photos shows how we had our only night in the venue with live mucis and traditional dances and music
Sunday 11 of June 2023 (morning)
09.30: Non formal Education Activities for the inclusion of people with mental disability.
On the last day, we did an introduction to mental disabilities and dance therapy techniques. We started with mirroring activity. This is a simple play activity that involves copying someone's movements, like you're in a mirror. Mirroring movement activities helped participants with disability or mental disabilities (autism, down syndrome, ADHD) improve their physical coordination and gross motor skills. These activities also gave them a chance to work together, building relationships and empathy for others. Participants also get to experience taking the lead and following others and learn to be mindful, to focus on the "here and now".
Movement Conversation: This activity is performed in pairs. They take turns moving in front of each other trying to transfer a message, a feeling, a thought. The couple talks non-verbally, only with movements. It is very important that the participants observe or "listen" to each other in each other in nonverbal conversation and to respect each other by waiting until the movement stops and then to respond.
Walk in my shoes: An activity performed in pairs. With instrumental music one of the pair moved in space the way he felt now. The other pair observed him and drawn his movements in space on paper. After the observation, they changed roles in such a way that the pair who drew the movements now passes those same movements in space while the other pair watches him. It's an activity that promotes nonverbal communication and fosters empathy and creativity.
Sherborne Developmental Movement: The activity performed with the whole group The background music was relaxing and instrumental. At the beginning, we gave time to group to explore their movements with fabric, how it can be stretched, how is the feeling of the fabric, playing with the balls etc. Afterwards, we told to participants to spread out the fabric on the floor. One person lied down in the middle of the fabric and the other participants took the fabrics on their hands and move it slightly. This created gentle waves. The movement is repeated until the person relaxes and begins to feel comfortable. The next phase of the activity is moving with the fabric while the person is on it.
The last stage was lifting the person with the fabric and swinging lightly. Simulation of the feeling as in the womb. It creates a feeling of security, relaxation. At the end we gently lower the person to the floor and gently dissolve the fabric. Return to the starting position (sitting on the floor around the fabric). This activity can be beneficial for those with intellectual challenges, helping to improve self-esteem, facilitate positive relationships and increase communication and creative expression.
Participants after the end of our training had their certificates and the booklet of our project, with information and the activities for the disabilities we mentioned above.
At the end all the participants completed online questionnaire and the results are representing in the file that you can download it.