During one of our recent capacity-building meetings with the grant recipients we worked on a project centered around the concept of an iceberg.
We showed the youth a copy of the picture shown above and asked them what they saw. Many of the youth laughed and said, ¨Ice in water, what do you think?¨
Laughing, we finally got around to discussing the theme of the iceberg for the discussion that day. We talked about how the majority of the iceberg is under the water and not visible to the eye while only a small percentage of the iceberg is above the water where people can see it. Using this information the youth began to draw parallels to how this situation is true for every group in society. How much of who we are as human beings is below the water where people can not see it.
The youth talked about how this concept is especially true for how youth are seen in society. Much of what society sees and thinks of the youth in Honduras is negative when really, the grant recipients explained, their foundation is full of positive and empowering qualities.
The youth split up and created their own iceberg drawings. Listing on the visible section of the iceberg what they believe is the way society sees them and listing on the part below the water who they really are.
Here are a few examples:
How society sees youth:
- Irresponsible
- Like we don´t exist
- Bums
- Insignificant
- Unappreciative
- Negative
- Spoiled
- Liars
Who the youth really are:
- Honest
- Intelligent
- Grateful
- Educated
- Patient
- Worried about others and the future of Honduras
- Respectful
- A good example for society
The youth ended the exercise thinking about ways in which they can demonstrate to others what is their true foundation as youth. The exercise was empowering for the grant recipients as they were able to vocalize who they really are and how they want to be thought of in their communities.
