Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Art Club



Thursday afternoons, once English classes are all done the children all squeeze into one room for my Art class. This class has kids ranging from 5 to 15 yrs all with a crazy excitement to create a mess and something fun. They get to make things like finger puppets, collages, clay figures. They learn about famous artists and how everyone of them is able to create great pieces of art. At the moment we have 25 kids which is a great deal in ways of lack of space and materials. We have kids sharing chairs or just having to stand but they have a great time so that 's all that matters. What we do need is resources, for 25 kids you can end up needing a lot of things. I spend most weeks searching the attic of Conviven for odd bits and pieces finding old card, pasta, rice, paper cups and of course if you think hard enough you can create something from nothing.

Friday, March 20, 2009

The new kitchen!



Since the moment I arrived at Conviven, over a year ago I heard the on going grones at the state of the kitchen. Our kitchen serves not only the center but also the kinder garden as well as the local community. As new volunteers arrived and old ones left I found them handing me money, trusting that I would put it where it was needed. We began to think that if we called in a few favours and digged deep that we may in fact be able to raise the large amount which would result in an upgraded kitchen. As grotty as it was, it was still the heart of the community center and we began to imaging what a difference a new improved one could make. After some very generouse donations and fundraisers by current and old volunteers the money was finaly raised and the work began. Today a year on from when I arrived at conviven we sit contentily in a bright clean yellow kitchen drinking Mate.

A special thanks to Liis, Madie, Mrs Koerfer, Alex, Murielle and Sil and all the others that made it possible.

Monday, February 23, 2009

A New Term

The academic year starts next week the 2nd of March. This will also be the date that Conviven will be re opening its doors to offer free English classes to the local community. We mostly have small groups of children aged 5 to 14. We will need enthusiastic motivated volunteers to teach these lovely children. If you are interested in helping please e mail us at-

volunteersconviven@gmail.com

classes will be on mOnday, Wednesday and Thursdays 3 -6 pm.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Friday, January 2, 2009

End of school Year.





In December we put together a small end of year party for the children and their parents. All the children who took part in the English course where given a certificate according to the level they had achieved. We then had a small fire throwing show by one of the volunteers, John, followed by a circus performance by some of the children. We had music and games and where happy that so many of the parents where also able to attend. The children where all given Christmas hats and their bellies filled full of foods. The volunteers also celebrated a job well down with a glass of sparkle on our own terrace.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE CHILDREN THEIR PARENTS ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND FRIENDS OF CONVIVEN.

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y BUENO ANO NUEVO A TODOS LOS AMIGOS DE CONVIVEN.