Participants/2008 During 2007, PAIC worked with 28 children between the ages of 4 and 14. Normally the participants are between 7-14 years old but we realized that by expanding the age range, more children could come as many older siblings baby-sit their younger siblings during meeting times. While this responsibility makes them mature faster, it limits their daily activities. As a result, we invited the elder siblings to attend with their brothers and sisters. This is an excellent opportunity for them to both take care of their siblings and interact with other children of their same age, and everyone learns.

We expanded the program by visiting all the schools near Mi Cometa, and forming relationships with their leaders, authorities and also parents. They sent some of the most outstanding students in the superior levels to our organization. The representatives of the schools in the sector also participated and collaborated with our program. It was soon after that this representatives were immersed and part of our community.

Many of the youth leaders who have been involved since the program’s inception had to leave the PAIC this year upon finishing high school and moving on to paid work, college, or family responsibilities. We appreciated the work that these youth put in over the past three years and we have been searching for leaders to replace them who are committed to the community and cognizant of child development issues. We are constantly fighting to find replacement leaders, against all obstacles.

Activities This year we had a summer trip during the children´s school vacation. We took a trip to an outdoor complex (including a water park) owned by the local police force.

The youth leaders also ran workshops about drugs and alcohol prevention for adolescents and children in our neighborhood. Some of the main participants were members of PAIC.

We also host parties for the children. Generally the main motive behind these festivities is to celebrate the Children’s Day (Día del Niño) and Christmas. Fortunately, we have always received local support to supplement our budget and volunteers. This support comes from young people from the neighborhood, volunteers from local colleges, or friends who come from higher socio-economic positions. They have attend the parties, enliven them, and also in some cases when they can, they come with gifts and / or baskets of basic goods.

These events become an open space for children to develop any artistic ability they have. This is also an opportune time to bring together the different children’s groups that are part of PAIC (there are several groups that meet in different neighborhood parks). It is also an opportunity for parents to participate and contribute with ideas and to prepare something for their children’s party; it is something that is entirely voluntary but that brings the community together.

Budget The expenses were mainly operating expenses, including: -Transportation -Copies -The purchase of equipment such as Dynamic Books that we acquired -Expenses for presenting the “PAIC” project to potential funding agencies

The leaders of the organization try to keep costs to a minimum, because we want the program to continue regardless of our financial situation. This is our strategy until the Project and the drafted budget are financed. The “Movimiento Mi Cometa” strongly supports us by providing us with materials such as paper, pencils, cards, scissors, etc. At the same time we also teach the children we work with how to be responsible citizens, pointing them towards activities like recycling and micro-business.

In this year/2009

This year, our fourth year of operation, we would like to restructure the program somewhat. We have 4 youth leaders at present, but we have received many invitations in order to expand to the surrounding areas.

We work closely with issues, including: -Human Rights -Food and Health -Civics and Respect -Awareness of different world-wide events -And above all, a peace culture

The average number of children participating in the program remains constant. The reasons that old members no longer participate are because they have other obligations on Saturdays when our program is run, such as studying, catechesis, and weekend classes.

PAIC enjoys great popularity within the region. Such popularity has spread among children and their parents in the community. As a result, there are many children who are part of the program and who are able to benefit from the activities offered. The children who are members of PAIC come every week because they enjoy it. It is such a delightful and well-spent time that they have requested that we meet not just on Saturdays but also on Sundays. In addition, the open houses conducted by “Movimiento Mi Cometa”, give us the opportunity to demonstrate to the community the results of this program. It is also an opportunity that allows our program to become known in the community. This also creates a direct link with Movimiento Mi Cometa, and our participants also are active in other initiatives offered by the organization, and new children find out about and join our program through this connection.