Written by Erik D’Dios, Social Services Supervisor at KIND’s Tapachula Office
Last week, more than 400 migrant and refugee children and adolescents attended a community health fair in Tapachula, on Mexico’s southern border. The purpose of the fair was to provide access to health services to children and families and help them integrate into the local community. Organized by Save the Children with the support of more than 20 international, government, and civil society organizations including UNHCR, UNICEF, and the International Office for Migration, the fair honored Children’s Day in Mexico and was attended by 800 migrants overall, from countries across the Americas, including Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador.
KIND led two activities for the children and adolescents: a psychosocial activity on expressing and recognizing emotions and a legal education “rights lottery” game, both to promote the well-being and rights of children and adolescents on the move.
The emotional expression activity was led by me and my colleagues on KIND’s psychosocial team. The game teaches kids to validate their feelings, ideas, and emotions and be able to express them appropriately. Through drawing, play, and dialogue, we created a safe space for children to practice expressing themselves and sharing how they feel. We also talked about the importance of empathy and of engaging in activities that promote kids’ emotional and general well-being such as fun and games, sports, and teamwork.
For the legal activity, KIND staff used a board game and a Mexican play “The Lottery” to teach participants to identify and recognize different types of rights, such as the right to identity, the right to participation, and the right to nondiscrimination. KIND staff performed the play. At various pauses in the story, staff would invite the children and adolescents to look on their boards to identify which right was being addressed.
The day was very joyful for all who attended. Children, adolescents, and their families not only received medical attention and education, but also enjoyed refreshments, music, prizes, and recreational activities in a playful and friendly atmosphere.