"We start the workshop with a hug"

The CROMA 2.0 program has more than 15 years of experience in which we have tried to bring the university closer to the schools near to the campus and give company to infants with fewer opportunities. They are boys and girls of 11 and 12 years who, due to their family or social situation, may have more difficulties in their studies.

This academic year 2021-2022, more than 260 children from 22 schools and 5 municipalities participate in the program. One of these schools is El Turó, where Alba puts into practice her knowledge as a future social educator and, at the same time, builds new skills.

This is her story:

4:30 p.m. I arrive at the school. I'm going in the direction of the courtyard. She could go with her eyes closed. Far away I see that the school is starting to empty. Many children say goodbye to school until the next day. Few, very few, stay. The first hug confirms that I am not the only one who is looking forward to this moment. We are in the courtyard and for 15 minutes we will have a snack to start the workshop with energy.

We entered the classroom. There's fuss, normal, right? We are not going to expect everyone to enter in absolute silence... In addition, they know perfectly well that now it is time to "How are you?" and everyone wants to express themselves: today very happy; oops, today a little sad; today, well, I don't know, well, I think... Every day is a world, and this first routine activity serves as an emotional thermometer. It lets us know how we are. It is essential for us to know this. And, whenever we can, we help each other. Now we begin to know each other more and to know how we can help each other. This mutual bond is essential; without the link, everything would be different.

When we already know how we are, we start with the project session. Will we talk about genetically modified mutant plants today? Or maybe how to design robots that feel emotions? Or will we record ourselves with 360º cameras to make content accessible to everyone? These are some of the activities of these projects, which have been designed by UAB research teams, and which are very motivating!

Anyway, I think they are very clear that I love to share this time with them. But I have long suspected that they also enjoy these two afternoons. Come on, I'll make a little confession: I started volunteering by going one afternoon a week. And, a short time later, they asked me why I didn't also go for a second afternoon. Honestly, I found it very difficult to combine it by schedule. But I enjoy it so much that I juggled my schedules and, to this day, I go both afternoons. My heart has been stolen!

As a future social educator, with an interest in working with infants, this volunteering is an extraordinary experience. It gives me security and confidence, it forces me to understand children and to be empathetic... It invites me to have fun and to have the desire to teach and, above all, to learn. It's an experience that I suspect will be unforgettable. If you are reading these lines and you are thinking about it, I will help you: do it!

Do you want to experience volunteering?

The CROMA 2.0 program is looking for new student volunteers to help in the coordination of workshops, where group dynamics and projects of UAB research teams will be implemented in the students of the schools. The schedule of the workshops is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and volunteers are needed in the municipalities of Cerdanyola del Vallès, Montcada i Reixac, Rubí, Sabadell and Terrassa

For more information you can consult the CROMA 2.0 file (catalan) or contact the program team in fas.croma@uab.cat