ESC: Work in progress 4

FELIS in the Netherlands is a supporting organization for Felis Curacao which is in the Caribbean. FELIS Curacao is an after-school shelter and center for neighborhood activities in the old district of Otrobanda Willemstad, Curaçao. In the first place, we offer a safe place for disadvantaged children between four and twelve years. Every day we catch between 40 and 50 children, who are at arrival to get a hot meal. Between 1 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we provide an educational and stimulating activity program. The children are divided into three age groups. Also, we provide (supplementary) education and offer homework assistance. There are regular trips and educational excursions for the children. FELIS has an integrated approach and wants to have a binding and constructive function in the neighborhood. FELIS makes a strong contribution to improving the future possibilities of disadvantaged children in Curaçao. The organization does this in an innovative way and hereby use an integrated approach in which they besides receiving and guiding the children also offers support and guidance to the parents. The kids FELIS focuses on children aged between 4 and 12 from poor and problem families in the neighborhood. Being often children who grow up in a harsh culture with harsh standards of behavior. Part of them is clearly neglected. Many of these children grow up in a family, where the father or mother often works from early in the morning to late at night, and little time for the child and the child upbringing. A number of children have traumatic experiences. Many of the children are not really used for​ positive attention. The children often have a learning disadvantage as shown by the remedial teacher's report, and some of them are undernourished or eat very unhealthy. That's why all the children get a warm meal after school at around 13:00 o'clock. Pedagogical work plan The shelter offers the children a safe environment where they are approached positively and with love. Every child is unique, and we try to make them feel that way. The children learn that they are unconditional accepted. Attention is paid to their feelings of disappointment, anger, and sadness. But unwanted behavior will not be tolerated. A framework is provided. Norms and values are being learned. The slogan "Supporting children to achieve their full potential" forms the basis of the pedagogical Work plan. The starting points for the organization, the acting on the employees and the living environment. Below is a summary of the most important ones points: • Every child is unique; • Children develop on their own strength, and at their own pace, in constant interaction with their environment; • Children develop best from an environment in which they feel safe and trusted to feel; • A stable group increases the feeling of safety for the children; • The quality of the agogic staff is a prerequisite for optimum development opportunities to create and provide care for both the individual child and as group; • Continuity in terms of occupancy and a clear division of tasks are required for a good one collaboration; • Good care and clear contact norms are important; • Collaboration and good contact with parents is important for good guidance of children, FELIS attaches great value to the opinion and vision of parents • After-school care can play a role in signaling problems or developmental delays of children; • The accommodation of Stichting F.E.L.I.S. meets the legal requirements on its​ area of housing and furnishing; • The accommodation of Stichting F.E.L.I.S. is adapted as much as possible to the wishes of the users; • Careful handling of personal data of children and parents; • This method is a manual and not a 'tight armor'. The organization of the day The children arrive from school on weekdays at 12.30 and get a warm meal. Hereafter the children are divided into three age groups (4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-12 years) and participate in an educational activities program. The age groups are divided into​ three professional pedagogical group supervisors, who are supported by two or three qualified volunteers or trainees. Depending on the program, the groups sometimes become merged. The activities focus on the social, cognitive and creative development of the children. There are activities in the field of sex education, music, dealing with aggression, etiquette, bullying, professions etc. Regular trips are made. There is also room for sports and games, and around half past four,​ the children get a drink and a piece of fruit. The program ends at five o'clock and the children go home. During the school holidays, the shelter is partially open and various activities and outings are organized.