SUPPORT ‘BRILLIANT MINDS’ KIDS CREATIVE ARTS AND SCIENCE PROGRAM

Brilliant Minds (BM) adapted from our Harmony & Health program is Walking Palms' children’s education and enrichment program ages 6-12 years old. Launched in 2016, this collaborative program between Walking Palms and local community leaders has taken on increased importance during the pandemic. Our interdisciplinary children’s program aims to provide our kids with skills that will set them up for success in college and life through interactive projects, excursions & experiments. BM is designed as a tool to help get children out of poverty and promote overall community resilience through top-notch education.

Our interdisciplinary children's program teaches critical thinking, leadership and resiliency through a combination of arts, sciences and entrepreneurship. We maintain a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring that our students receive personal attention and support.

Education is these students' best chance to lead their families out of poverty, Brilliant Minds gives them the education and emotional support they need to become successful leaders in today's changing world.
BM focuses on building resilience in line with the following World Health Organization (WHO) climate health risk domains through project based learning : 

  • Non-communicable: nutrition education through hands on gardening and cooking classes 

  • Infectious diseases: ‘mosquitoes and me’ climate and health experiments 

  • Mental and psychosocial health: music, art, body expression and breath work 

  • Mortality and morbidity from extreme events: disaster preparation drills (earthquakes, landslides, flooding, fires)

  • Gender inequities: empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership 

Sponsor one of our Brilliant Minds Today!

PAST PROJECTS: HARMONY AND HEALTH

Almost two years into the pandemic, the toll of lost learning on students around the world was becoming more evident. Our community in Bahia was no different, as our most vulnerable students were struggling to make up for months without instruction.

An estimated 30% of students here in Bahía de Caráquez were unable to attend remote school programs since low-income families often lack the necessary technology or resources to participate in distance learning.

This is where Harmony and Health, Walking Palms' kids education and enrichment program, came in. Launched in 2016, this collaborative program between Walking Palms and local community leaders took on increased importance during the pandemic. Our program offered:


  • Interventional tutoring to help 50 students from low income neighborhoods make up for lost learning

  • Personal attention with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio

  • Interdisciplinary curriculum focused on music, art, botanics, physical education, mediation and emotional wellness.

  • COVID safety measures approved by local health and safety administration

Education is these students' best chance to lead their families out of poverty, and your contribution gave them the education and emotional support they need during this continued disruption to their educational experience.

Walking Palms will make every effort to use funds raised from this campaign for our Community Learning Pods, but donations are subject to redirection at the discretion of the organization.

Harmony and Health -
A Holistic Approach to Childhood Learning

Our Community Learning Pods are an extension of Harmony and Health, an immersive, interdisciplinary kids education program.

Walking Palms launched Harmony and Health in response to the devastating 2016 earthquake which struck Ecuador’s Pacific coast, as the founders realized that many children were suffering emotional trauma from the earthquake and its aftermath. Through music, art and meditation practices, kids came out of their shells and could truly begin the healing process.

This program has been essential during the pandemic, where as many as 30% of local students lack the resources to attend remote learning programs. In addition to getting kids back on track academically and supporting their emotional wellness, Harmony and Health offers a safe place for kids away from rising incidents of domestic violence.

In addition to this invaluable experience for the kids, Harmony and Health provides employment for our instructors who represent the diverse cultural fabric of this region. Your support allows these local musicians, artists, thespians and educators share their passion and talents with our students.

All instructors not only receive competitive pay and reliable work during these challenging economic times, but professional development that includes leadership training, disaster preparedness workshops, emotional first aid, teaching pedagogy and team-building.