This event demonstrated the importance of having the ability to deal with confrontation and the discomfort of others, especially when dealing with a diverse group.
On the second of the workshop on Advocacy of Child Rights through Puppetry and Co-operative Games, Swati Bhatt, Agyat Shunya and Nikhil Mehta encouraged the 40 participants to take risks and learn from their mistakes (but still have fun!) by engaging in some slightly more advanced activities. These included making puppets and props, rehearsing their puppet show, and practicing expressing different emotions confidently. One of the most crucial learning moments for the participants was when, due to some sarcastic humor (without ill intentions), the socio-emotional safety of one participant was compromised. This was immediately brought to everybody’s attention and was an opportunity to address the issue. This event demonstrated the importance of having the ability to deal with confrontation and discomfort of others, especially when dealing with a diverse group.
On the final day of the workshop, participants made some final props for the puppet show and delivered a show to many guests. The show went very well and the participants were much more confident and expressive, compared to their dress rehearsal on the previous day. The rest of the day was dedicated to practicing games and activities that the participants were finding difficult to implement in their respective centers, as well as a revision of all the new activities that they learned during the workshop. There was also an opportunity to review the action plans that the participants had developed for themselves as well as stress key principles that enable successful practice peace sessions.
An example includes the fact that different children have different preferences and ways of learning and it is important to adapt activities to accommodate these types of needs. Upon reflecting on the activities of the day, the participants said they felt more confident in their abilities. One particular attendee who seemed uninterested on the first day did not participate in many of the activities despite multiple invitations but eventually took a role in the puppet show, was in the end full of excitement and gratitude - a testament of the power of ‘challenge by compassion’.
