Our ludotecas today
"I understand that there is another way to talk to my children... seeing how they speak to the children in the toy library with respect and without scolding them, I am inspired to do it in a different way".
Maria Luisa, mother of 3 children attending Yocoima
At Tepui, children are at the heart of our projects. We believe every child has the right to a childhood filled with joy, friendship, and happiness. Since 2017, we have been developing the creation and consolidation of a network of School Toy Libraries (Ludotecas escolares) in the Guayana region, specifically in the city of Puerto Ordaz. And by establishing School Toy Libraries we refer to a concept that allows games and toys to be organized in a suitable space within the educational centers themselves, to expand the opportunities for play within the framework of the school pedagogical guidelines.
The “Ludoteca” is thus presented as a new experience, which allows revaluing playing, enriching the ludic space with the incorporation of toys and games and encourages teachers to add appropriate pedagogical proposals to each school group in particular. The methodology and approach developed by TEPUI to be used in the Toy libraries are leveraged in spaces conditioned in such a way that the materials, their setting, the corners, the toys are used to favor play as a resource for the development of the individual and the group , where the educator observes, facilitates, encourages and enriches. The “Ludotecas escolares” have thus proven to be a valuable instrument for individual and collective transformation, children and families improve their interaction, coexistence and build civic values.
The “Ludoteca” is thus presented as a new experience, which allows revaluing playing, enriching the ludic space with the incorporation of toys and games and encourages teachers to add appropriate pedagogical proposals to each school group in particular. The methodology and approach developed by TEPUI to be used in the Toy libraries are leveraged in spaces conditioned in such a way that the materials, their setting, the corners, the toys are used to favor play as a resource for the development of the individual and the group , where the educator observes, facilitates, encourages and enriches. The “Ludotecas escolares” have thus proven to be a valuable instrument for individual and collective transformation, children and families improve their interaction, coexistence and build civic values.
Leveraging this experience and its positive impacts, Tepui plans to manage a new Toy Library, now in its own headquarters and outside the educational sector, in order to expand and extend its benefits to the community in which it will settle. In addition to children, the new recreational space will also serve - free of charge and with a high level of excellence - young people and adults attracted by the charm and benefits of a space for healthy recreation and enjoyment. In this Ludoteca, we continue placing a focus on playing and companionship, while promoting our values of responsibility, respect, care, honesty, cooperation, and solidarity.
This new Toy Library, offers a series of books, games and toys according to the age and interests of children and young people, also for adults, and that at the time of the game, they will choose according to their interests and aptitudes. It also contemplates carrying out socio-cultural animation activities that stimulate creativity, reading and playing, like “Artist’s book” workshops. These additional playful options aim to organize and fill free spaces for children, youth and adult population, thus contributing to reduce "street hours", and remove them, even if for a short time, from the logic of survival in which they constantly live.
We are very excited to have now a ludoteca operating independently from the schools as this also allows to operate on more flexible working times, including during the holiday periods when schools normally remain closed.
Donate to help Tepui
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Tepui relies on donations to cover its operational costs. The Tepui team works as volunteers, and even the toys and games are mainly second hand, also coming from donations. With the new toy library, our operational expenses have increased (also impacted by the “dollarization” in Venezuela) and we are currently running an action to raise funds for the partial financing of the Ludotecas. All of this while we seek for longer term options for self-financing.
Join the action and donate to help Tepui continue this impactful initiative, by scanning the QR code using your eBanking app.
We would love to hear from you, share your comments or send us an email if you want to find out more.