TeamUP Day 4: Respecting Perspectives

We began the day continuing the work of the past few days. In the English bootcamp, the students learned about the past tense. They practiced by talking and writing about what activities they have done in the previous weeks. The health team held a workshop on the things you can and can’t do to help a person addicted to drugs. The same decriminalized tone from yesterday was held during this workshop.

To help the addicts, students learned they can provide support by understanding the perspective of the addict. Especially, even if the addict relapse, it is important to continue the support. They also learned that criminalizing the addiction, or instilling some kinds of fears in the addicts will not be beneficial to both the addict and them. Moreover, they also learned that they should not let the addicts cross the boundaries that the individual has set.

Students were very engaged with our workshops because they were allowed to express their honest opinions. Reflecting on their own and their colleagues’ opinions, students took control of the conversations in the classroom, and the TeamUP members assumed the role of facilitating the discussion.

When we finished our work at the school, we headed home, rested, relaxed and then prepared for the next day.