Drawing on the Power of the Word, Age 14

Course Introduction

Downloads    Course Introduction

Drawing on the Power of the Word by the Ruhi Foundation in Colombia seeks to enhance the power of expression and explore the moral implications of speech and action. It consists of twenty readings, each of which is complemented by exercises in language skills. The readings begin simply, but gain in complexity both in terms of thought and language. The first reading introduces Diego and his youth group, who live in the small town of Alegrías. With the help of a tutor from the nearby institute named Elisa, the group thinks about the power of enlightened words and pure deeds to bring about social change. The book is designed for youth aged 14. (110 pages, 8 ½" x 11").  Order from Development Learning Press, www.devlp.com.
-------------------------------------------------- 

The Ruhi Institute adheres to the belief that an individual reaches the age of maturity at 15, when spiritual and moral obligations become binding.  This may seem unrealistic in societies that wish to extend childhood and perpetuate the attitude of play.  But among the generality of humankind, living under precarious conditions, a person has, by the age of 15, already assumed weighty responsibilities.  Viewed from this perspective, the years immediately before this age take on special significance.  This is the time when fundamental concepts about individual and collective life are formulated in the mind of an adolescent struggling to leave behind the habits of childhood.  Youth at this age have much to say, and whoever treats them as children misses the opportunity to help them form a proper identity.

Since its inception, the Ruhi Institute has striven to serve this age group through specific programs and has gained valuable experience in this area of action.  The present book was developed over many years through a process of action and reflection that sought to offer young minds the first elements of a gradually expanding conceptual framework within which they could deal with the complexities of life.  The book works best with 14-year-olds who live in rural areas or in some sectors of towns and cities.

There are a number of generalizations made about youth in this age group that simply do not apply to the populations with whom the Ruhi Institute largely interacts.  These young members of society have firsthand experience with life's hardships, which has granted them a special measure of maturity.  Their attention span is not short, as is sometimes assumed.  They have not lost the gift of enjoying the simple things of life, while they have all the ability to think deeply.

Like other materials of the Ruhi Institute, this book is concerned with the development of capabilities.  Specifically, it focuses on the capability of exercising the power of expression.  As such, it is being used in literacy programs which seek to go beyond the mechanics of reading and writing. Further, the content of the readings contribute to the development of another capability, that of identifying the moral implications of speech and action.  The readings begin simply, but gradually gain in complexity both in terms of thought and language.  They are organized around the meetings of a youth group and are meant to be studied in a similar setting.

Experience has shown that the tutor of the group, usually an older youth, needs to be aware of certain points if good results are to be achieved from the study of the book.  The members of the group are to be treated as friends and not as students.  The importance of meeting regularly must be clearly explained to them, and they should be well aware that they are not participating in a class but in a gathering of friends who have come together for a specific purpose.  The tutor should generally avoid giving the group homework; for example, the exercises are best done individually be each participant during the meeting itself and then gone over in a discussion between the tutor and the whole group.  The schedule of gatherings and the program for each should be worked out in consultation with the youth, ensuring that time is allotted in every meeting for different kinds of activities - for the reciting of prayers, for the memorization of quotations and poems, for reading, for carrying out the exercises, for singing and other forms of artistic expression, and for playing.  When the group wishes to engage in acts of service, it should be helped to choose projects of short duration whose goals are easily achievable.  It is essential that every effort be made for the youth to gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

While the variety of activities helps bind the members of the group in friendship and renders the gatherings joyous, it should be remembered that the primary purpose of studying the book is to develop the power of expression.  The tutor needs to make certain that the participants reach the level of literacy set in the final readings of the book.

As the story unfolds in the book, there are references to community gatherings, and it would be fruitful if such meetings were to be organized by the group.  It is also desirable for the tutor to establish a relationship with the parents of the youth, explaining to them the purpose of the group and sharing with them highlights of its activities.