S-Trip! Destination: Yucatan Explorer, Cancun, Mexico
Summer 2016
This summer we were lucky enough to return to Cancun ProKids, an organization that provides children who have suffered from sexual exploitation and abuse with a safe place to live and to receive a quality education. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Adriana Santos, who gave us a tour of the whole centre so that our travelers could get an appreciation for all that they do. She showed us where the kids learn, play, and live. Both the kids and the volunteers live together on-site, making it a very close-knit, loving place to be.
Bright smiles and bright paintings in the arts and crafts station!
After the tour we split into two groups: one group focused on painting areas of the centre including bedrooms and hallways, the other group focused on recreational activities such as origami and drawing, and then they switched! The arts and crafts time was definitely a highlight for everyone, because it allowed our travelers to really make a connection with the kid.
Laughter erupted from the playground as the kids showed our travelers how seriously they take a game of tag!
After having time at the two stations, all of our travelers got together in the parkette with their new friends for an opportunity to play basketball, tag, jump rope and of course the inevitable impromptu dance party! To cap it all off, we got together for a group photo, said a very bittersweet goodbye, and made our way back to the resort with pictures and origami gifts to remember the kids from the community. Even though the time flew by, our S-Trip! travelers were able to accomplish our goal of painting every bedroom and hallway by the time the program was done!
Giving the centre a fresh coat!
Written by Celine Peel-Michaud, the Program Director and on-site Volunteer Coordinator for Cancun.