Mexico
“Since 2005, I have been in charge of Pro Pedregales Coyoacán, a civil society organization that promotes youth empowerment. We work to strengthen life skills, and use artistic expression as a means to encourage introspection so that later girls and boys can communicate their ideas, thoughts and needs in positive ways. I met Dr. Sonia in 2016 when she ca me to Mexico to visit community organizations that work with children using artistic processes. She accompanied us one Saturday to meet the group of girls and boys and to see the ways we incorporate the arts in our work. After observing us, she said that she would be interested in partnering with us.
Her first session was a short and very simple project because she mainly wanted to meet the group. We remember this session with great affection because, despite the fact that she does not speak Spanish and the children do not speak English, they were able to communicate in a very natural way. The children had the opportunity and freedom to ask her many things and she, in a very loving way, answered each of their questions. From this first meeting a very special bond was created between her and the group, which she has sustained by extending her stay each year and carrying out more and more ambitious projects.
During the two years that the COVID-19 pandemic has lasted in Mexico, we have managed to carry out projects together, even from a distance. Dr. Sonia’s participation within the organization has been a very enriching experience, and she has provided us with new ideas, strategies and materials to incorporate the arts into our educational processes which we continue to use and adapt.” — Devaki Preciado Ríos, Director
