Iniciativa Colibrí: The big impact of this small project
Iniciativa Colibrí, based in Nicaragua, supports disadvantaged children and young people in the Estelí district. The project’s manager, María Jesús, grew up in this neighbourhood and still lives there today. The Colibrí centre provides a space where children and young people can relax through theatre, express themselves freely, support each other and recognise their feelings.
There are three theatre groups structured according to age and ability, as well as a reading group for the youngest children. Participants are responsible for maintaining the neighbourhood centre and its garden. A psychologist is also regularly present at the centre to provide guidance and support to children and young people facing challenges.
Currently, 35 children and young people are actively involved in the various theatre and reading groups. Others get involved occasionally, and a women’s group meets regularly at the centre. Despite its small size — the annual project costs amount to around CHF 10 000 — Iniciativa Colibrí has a significant and lasting impact on the neighbourhood. The centre provides a reliable presence for residents and participants, remaining open regardless of personal circumstances or difficult and unpredictable political times. The neighbourhood centre has a huge impact on the lives of its participants, as well as their families and friends. Former long-term participants report that their years of experience on the project strengthened them personally. They became part of a community that actively practises democracy, and they were able to experiment and develop their own skills. They now have the confidence to appear in front of an audience, be authentic, and stand by their opinions
Photo report from the project in Nicaragua
María Jesús, the project manager and founder of the project, knows the participating children and young people, as well as their families, very well. She often meets them on the way to the neighbourhood centre, where she works.
The neighbourhood’s residents know and appreciate “Profe Mary”, as she is affectionately known, very much.
Thirteen years ago, María Jesús founded the project together with her niece. Since then, she has dedicated herself entirely to this work. She has supported many participants throughout the years. This has created a strong bond between them and the centre.
When the children and young people arrive at the neighbourhood centre in the afternoon, they first clean the entire facility. There are different tasks to be completed at each meeting. Somebody has to water the garden flowers, mop the floors, unlock the toilets and prepare the activities. Everyone helps out, and the older participants take on leadership roles in the various groups.
At Colibrí, everyone is welcome and has a place. The focus is on joint activities and interaction. Every theatre or reading group begins with a session where the children and young people can exchange ideas, talk about things that have made them happy or sad, and simply play together and have fun.
The project work with children and young people focuses on personal development and strengthening the personality.
Child psychologist Maritza regularly runs sessions on the topic of “My Life Journey”. These sessions help children and young people to recognise and express their feelings and emotions, and to develop personally and strengthen their self-confidence.
The reading group focuses on reading together, strengthening reading skills and discovering literature. Members immerse themselves in stories and write their own.
The community centre offers three theatre groups tailored to different age groups and levels of experience. Some of the oldest group’s participants take on the role of co-leaders for the younger groups. Here, they practise various techniques and improvisation, and perform in a big play once a year.
Iniciativa Colibrí regularly takes part in theatre festivals and workshops, in which children and young people perform plays and develop new skills. In this photo, a Colibrí group travelled to El Salvador.
Iniciativa Colibrí organises an annual neighbourhood festival to involve local residents in its activities. The festival features numerous stalls selling a variety of homemade items and food. The proceeds go towards funding the project.
Fourteen-year-old Alba and sixteen-year-old Enmanuel both want to become actors. They have performed in theatre groups before, but they felt too pressured or restrained there.
Both of them feel very comfortable at Colibrí and can develop at their own pace. They like the fact that the group is at the heart of everything and that everyone is on the same page.