Description
Rationale
The main objective of the craft workshop at CIMA is to provide children and adolescents with a means of artistic expression, while simultaneously developing technical skills and manual dexterity. This space not only fosters creativity but also offers the opportunity to turn these skills into a tool for economic self-sufficiency. Participants are taught to make useful products such as keychains, bracelets, wallets, belts, and basic garments, using various materials such as fabrics, plastics, threads, and wood. Additionally, those with greater skill have the chance to learn to use sewing machines, perfecting advanced techniques like serging.
Therapeutic Achievements
The workshop goes beyond technical teaching; it is a space for emotional and psychological growth. Through manual activity, children and adolescents improve their mental health, as working with their hands stimulates nerve endings, producing an immediate improvement in physical and mental well-being. Creative activity allows them to express emotions, develop interpersonal and social skills, and foster self-control and self-esteem.
Crafts help manage frustration, reduce stress and anxiety, while also developing skills like concentration, patience, and discipline. Workshop activities improve fine motor skills and provide a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-confidence and participants’ sense of self-efficacy.
Formative Achievements
In terms of training, the workshop teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques. Children start by learning to sew manually and then move on to using sewing machines and sergers. The crafts they create include functional products such as keychains, wallets, document holders, belts, and other accessories.
The training also involves developing responsibility and the ability to work under processes, as the use of tools and machines requires attention and care, especially due to their dangerous nature. The teacher in charge constantly supervises the progress of each participant, assessing their abilities and assigning tasks based on their age and skill level. The most skilled are those who ultimately operate the sewing machines more frequently, and they are also taught how to maintain these tools.
Productive Achievements
One of the most important achievements of the workshop is its productive component. As children and adolescents master the craft techniques and use of sewing machines, they learn to calculate costs and materials, essential skills for entering the labor market. This knowledge allows them to create small businesses, selling quality products to the public, contributing to their economic self-sufficiency.
