Escuelitas

LITTLE SCHOOLS FOR THE LITTLEST PEOPLE

“We give them time and space to be themselves, and learn who they are becoming. I love that.”

On Friday afternoons, people who don’t like noise know not to visit either of NWI’s two Casa Saludables (Home Health) Clinics. It’s Escuelitas (Little School) Time for Naco residents ages 3 to 12. They get to be just kids, creative ones at that. Things get LOUD! And messy.

Naco Wellness Initiative Promotoras and volunteers love this time. Whether at the big Barrio Nuevo Clinic or the small Colosio Clinic, the room is packed with dozens of excited, talking children. Even the quiet ones have a good time.

Learning With Purpose

Escuelitas are their fun time, where all the time, attention, games, arts and crafts, encouragement, and healthy snacks – they make their own – are focused on themselves and their self-esteem. They are loved and valued. They can talk about who they want to be when they grow up, and how they want to be.

They get lots of personal attention. “I remember one day when we were playing with playdough, and a little boy who is quieter than most showed me a little, pink human figure he made,” said Promotora Alma Amaya. “‘This is my Little Alma that I keep for myself,’ he said.”