The social inclusion of children and young adults from marginalized areas

Caja Ludica fosters processes of sensitization and artistic training for children and youths who are at risk, excluded and stigmatized, with few possibilities to participate in society – a situation that contributes to the climate of violence and intolerance in Guatemala. It works in the “red” zones of Guatemala, places where there are more than five serious crimes (such as murder, assault, rape, kidnapping) a month.

In 2017, Alta Mane supports the offering of artistic workshops (theatre, dance, music, body awareness and identity, puppetry, painting, creative writing and public play) in a youth centre located in a marginalized area of the city. Participants also design and create table games that develop logic and creativity. These workshops complement formal education by stimulating critical, proactive and participatory thinking in children and youths, providing them with models that can be replicated in other communities. These same artistic workshops are also provided to children from orphanages to demonstrate the importance of providing play and artistic space as a strategy in psycho-physical growth.

In 2016, Alta Mane supported an artistic production that uses new technology (lights, sound, video) and involves the artists of Caja Ludica and other partner organizations from marginal urban areas. The participation of these organizations aims to reinforce their role as active civil actors in their communities, their training level and resilience. The artistic productions undertaken by these youths are staged during local festivals with a recreational approach based on art, entertainment and diversion, involving children and youths in workshops in design, puppetry, painting and mural art to foster interaction and peaceful coexistence in the public sphere. At the end of the project, Caja Ludica published a book about the artistic workshop experiences.