Project News

In the training sessions in Panama sometimes games are used to teach organizational strengthening.  Our Project also uses games at times during the breaks in the monthly meetings or seminars as a means for relaxing, but more often for creating understanding in human relations and group behavior.  Besides learning to hear with your ears and think with your mind, the games show us the behavior we have towards other persons and the subconscious concepts we carry within ourselves.  Thus it is a very effective way to learn through experience and through moving the body.  The Project staff has indicated their interest in incorporating more games into our activities, and I am also thinking how to more effectively use games in the workshops and seminars we hold.

(Photo 1) A scene during a break in the group strengthening seminar held with the San Juan de Pequeni community by Ms. Victoria, in charge of participatory development (in the center of the photo).  The participants were divided into 2 groups, and each formed a line by joining hands.  Next, any article they had with them was held between the hands to see which group could make the longest line. (November 16, 2007)

(Photo 2) "One, two, three!" and the lines are stretched.  The idea is to use anything you have with you, even a shirt or belt, to make a longer line.  What do you learn from this? "If each person gives what she or he can, together you can achieve something greater." (November 16, 2007)

(Photo 3) A game played during a break in the organizational strengthening workshop in the Chilibrillo community.  Mr. Joaquin, the Project translator and assistant, (behind on the left) proposed the idea of making paper airplanes in each group.  Each person stated how far his or her airplane would fly before launching it.  Almost no one's plane reached the given goal, and most did not even come close.  What was the lesson here?  "If you make a high goal to impress others you won't make it; it's better to make realistic goals." (January 26, 2008)

(Photo 1: left) (Photo 2: right)

(Photo 3)

(Mr. Hiroki KAJIFUSA, Participatory Development / Extension)