In an effort to foster a culture of peace and environmental stewardship among children, the Bií Hioxo Wind Farm and its Nacanu’ Bií Community Centre held the 2024 Summer Course for the third year running.
As is customary, before the two-week course aimed at children began, two weeks of training were provided to young residents of Juchitán. These young people, aged 13 to 35, joined the Xquendas, a group of volunteers committed to becoming agents of change within their community.
The training covered the following topics:
- Group management
- Voice control
- Songs
- Large group activities
- Identity creation
- Culture of peace workshops (focusing on emotional awareness, values, and teamwork)
- Environmental care (including germination, composting, and vermicomposting)
Compared to 2023, volunteer participation in 2024 saw a 220% increase, with 51 more Xquendas joining. Notably, this year, 7 of the volunteers were relatives of the owners of the wind farm.
The primary objectives of these 40 hours of training were to foster a sense of responsibility and social awareness among young people, promote leadership and skills to empower them as agents of positive change in the community, and to develop soft skills.
The Summer Course was designed around two main themes: The culture of peace and environmental care, using an experiential learning methodology aligned with the company’s social engagement model.
From 29 July to 9 August, the Third Summer Course for children aged 6 to 13 was held at Campo Santa Martha in District Seven.
This year, 208 children attended, from various parts of the community. They experienced the programme alongside the Xquendas, Project Coordinators from the Nacanu’ Bií Community Centre, and the Civil Protection and Fire Department of Juchitán.
The children were grouped into three tribes based on the patrol system:
- Tribe for ages 6 to 7: Bií Huini (Small Air)
- Tribe for ages 8 to 9: Bií Canissí (Growing Air)
- Tribe for ages 10 to 13: Bií Guenda (Big Air)
The participation of government bodies underscores the importance of social connections, reflecting the idea that “we are actively involved in the social fabric of the region”. Civil Protection was present throughout the two weeks of the Summer Course to ensure the safety of the children and to create secure environments. Meanwhile, the Fire Brigade participated on both Fridays, providing an explanation of the importance of their profession and educating the children on safety and fire prevention.
The workshops conducted included:
Environmental care
Culture of peace
- Germination
- Composting
- Vermicomposting demonstration
- Emotionometer (understanding and managing our emotions)
- Values bracelet
- Friendship bubbles
- Acroyoga
- Group singing
Here are some testimonials from participants in the third Bií Hioxo Summer Course:
“I never imagined I would learn so much and have such a wonderful experience. If it hadn’t been for my younger brother insisting that we visit the Community Centre, I wouldn’t have discovered all these amazing activities. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me and for allowing me to be part of this Xquenda family”, Evelin, Xquenda
“There have been many violent incidents lately, and most of them have occurred here in the Seventh District. It’s great that you organise these kinds of activities for the children, where you promote values, teamwork, and respect for others. However, if we don’t pay attention to them at home, and as a community, we don’t get involved in promoting values, there will always be a risk of them getting involved in crime”, Civil Protection staff
“I’m amazed at how these activities instil different values and lessons in the children. I’m tired but satisfied; this process has been personally rewarding, and I’ve learned to listen to my community through the children and to make a positive impact”, Flor Mayoral, Xquenda
“I learned to care for the environment and made many friends. Now, I’m going to the Community Centre to join the activities and become a Xquenda”, Carlos López, child of the Biguenda tribe
“Thank you very much for everything. It’s been a great course. My grandson tells me all about the activities, and it’s wonderful that they get to have this experience, away from their mobile phones. Thank you again for your attention. We are looking forward to an amazing day tomorrow”, Father
“I have more fun being here than at home. I do a lot of things here and make many friends”, Child of the Bií Canisií tribe
“I’m really excited to see young people in Juchitán who are passionate volunteers committed to making a difference in this society”, Josue, Xquenda
