Program Report: Seeds of Awareness (SOA)

Date of Activity: 25th December 2024
Reported by: Pema Dechan, Intern
Venue: Manjushri Educational Library
Total Participants: 4 children

Key Objective

The primary objective of the session was to inspire problem-solving skills and resilience in children by employing storytelling and interactive activities to emphasize the importance of intelligence and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges through nonviolence and peace.

Resource Persons

• Sonam: Finance Officer
• Pema Dechan: Intern

Program Activities Update

Introduction to the Seeds of Awareness Program

The Seeds of Awareness program, in collaboration with Manjushri Educational Services, is dedicated to fostering children’s emotional and intellectual growth through storytelling and interactive discussions. The session on 25th December 2024 emphasized the theme of problem-solving through a creative finger puppet activity and storytelling.

Specific Activities

1. Introduction to the Program
   • The session commenced with brief introductions and an overview of the planned activities, which included making finger puppets and using them to narrate a story.
2. Finger Puppet Making and Storytelling
   • Participants created finger puppets by colouring pre-printed character templates and assembling them through cutting and pasting.
   • The story narrated during the session revolved around an old horse who cleverly escaped from being trapped in mud, saving himself from a wolf by using his intelligence.
   • The story was brought to life using the finger puppets, which enhanced engagement and created a deeper connection between the children and the story’s characters.
   • This interactive method facilitated a stronger understanding of the story’s themes of intelligence and resourcefulness.

Challenges Encountered:    None

Lessons Learned

• Creative, hands-on activities like finger puppet making significantly enhance children’s engagement and comprehension of session themes.
• Incorporating interactive elements into storytelling improves participation and fosters emotional connections.

Suggestions for Future Improvement

• Continue incorporating creative and hands-on activities to maintain high levels of engagement.
• Explore additional interactive tools to further enhance storytelling sessions.

Potential Success Story

The integration of finger puppets allowed children to connect deeply with the story and its characters. The creative process of puppet-making, combined with storytelling, encouraged active participation, and fostered a deeper understanding of intelligence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

Activity Status:  Completed