The power of I CAN have reached 480 children across the country and transformed 24 schools into better places for students, created by students

“There’s enthusiasm. There’s the curiosity to see what problems they identify and what solutions they will generate. They have been in this situation before, let’s say, with volunteer work, to a small extent. It’s joy.

To give them, let’s say now, being in the fourth grade, another good project for them. Not knowing what will happen next, they will have other types of projects in grades V-VIII.

It’s like a gift. When I applied for the project, that’s how I thought about it. It’s a gift I bring to them”, said Cristina in February 2024, at the end of the training days, where she learned and understood how to apply the Design for Change Methodology.

Cristina and her students’ journey

Since then, the 25 students in her class have explored their school universe, investigating its “hot spots,” creating lists, splitting into teams, debating the issues they face, and voting on them according to their priorities.

“The problem we face is that we need to be more tolerant of each other, to accept ourselves as we are, because we tend to judge each other, laugh at others’ flaws or mistakes.”

Students discuss and debate the hot spots in their school.

Design for Change challenges children to move from passive actors to skilled and attentive directors, which is exactly what the students of “Elena Farago” Middle School in Craiova did when they decided how to shape their change plan.

“We discussed Shakespeare because in March they had to read ‘Tales from Shakespeare’ and some didn’t manage to understand the plot of some works.

I told them that in May, the Shakespeare International Festival would be in Craiova, and one of the girls who read the book suggested we could stage a play.

She suggested ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ another ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ We voted and decided on the latter. I proposed to do the play in English because they have an intensive English exam in June, and they are nervous about speaking, and this exercise might solve their problem.

They were very skeptical, but our project will be called I CAN… Shakespeare.”

Voting takes Place. Students rank the problems they face, vote, and choose a single problem to solve.

How does Shakespeare solve the issue of tolerance in the classroom and school?

The reality is that Shakespeare alone doesn’t solve the problem.

Instead, preparing the play, encouraging teamwork by explaining moments and sequences during breaks to classmates who didn’t understand them, directing scenes, working on the script, making costumes, creating the set, and numerous rehearsals created a context where students faced their limits and motivated each other to continue.

They didn’t give up, they worked together, accepted each other, and celebrated everyone’s abilities.

The Butterfly Effect: the wing flap that changes everything

“They divided roles, including prompters and dressers, spectators, and prop makers. The whole class was involved. They planned to put on a surprise show for their parents at the end of the year.

Outdoor rehearsals before the performance.

During the Shakespeare Festival, we had a visit from a director from the USA, and on that occasion, they gave their first performance, with papers in hand, as not everyone had learned their lines. Everyone was nervous. I cried.

All the kids managed extraordinarily well. For more than 3 hours, everyone fulfilled their role without complaining or leaving their position. They spoke confidently with the guest from the States about theater and more.

He was so impressed by them that he asked to meet us again before he left the country. He came accompanied by a black actor, and they repeated the experience in the schoolyard because we no longer had a working space in the school after the vacation.

It was again amazing for all of us to see the power they found in themselves to perform and follow the American gentleman’s instructions.”

What happens next?

“The theater troupe will remain in the fifth grade! What I noticed is that they are more daring now and respect each other more.

The main character was a class rebel, always in conflict with someone and always criticized for his attitude. Now he is much calmer, as are the other classmates who were critical of him.

Another boy was the one who always opposed any initiative from others, constantly criticizing everyone, and who opposed the idea of theater, but in the end, he became our spokesperson and interviewed the guest.

All the children got involved! Those without roles helped with the set, costumes, and props brought from home for the actors. They were responsible for applause and played the role of enthusiastic spectators. It’s not easy to sit still for two hours, perched on a bench.

I CAN… Shakespeare! Performance in front of the director from the United States during the Craiova International Shakespeare Festival.

There were also two withdrawals from the play. Two girls dropped out because it seemed too difficult, and they felt offended when Miss Shakespeare criticized their accent.

We discussed the situation in plenary, and I hope they understood that failure is part of life and that we shouldn’t judge anyone if they choose something else.

The main character dropped out after the first two rehearsals because during that hour, his friends played football, and he stayed with the girls to work. I talked to him, and he returned to the play, although I told him it was his choice. But it was so cute how he looked longingly when his friends went to the field.

The girls made a duplicate script especially for him because he always lost his script, either leaving it at home or pretending to, just to go and play.

The two girls in the lead roles organized everything conscientiously, and as a result, they now make short films around the neighborhood, which they want to send to the Oscars.”

The wing of change supports the courage to overcome limits and make your voice heard

Cristina’s children are part of the Wing of Change, those who generate small but significant changes in their school, community, for themselves, and their peers, all through four simple steps: feel, imagine, do, and share.

This fall, we want to send a group of students along with a teacher to share their successes at the I CAN Global Summit organized by Design for Change and prepare a new generation of teachers ready to cultivate the courage of another 500 students.

The Wing of Change needs each of us. It needs you.

Donate now.