Thought, Word and Action in Movement (Pensamiento, Palabara y Acción en Movimiento), or PPAM, is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Mexico City dedicated to the education of street children, orphans and single-parent children at risk. PPAM believes these children are particularly vulnerable to growing up with very low self esteem.

Educating Children at Risk is a documentary photography project about the PPAM organization: the teachers and administrators, the programs, the institutions where children are taught, and the children themselves.

The main activity of the PPAM is to teach a program self realization, designed to bolster self confidence and self esteem. This program, inhereted from the late Padre Chinchachoma, is known as "Yo-ismo". Known for its effectivenes, Yo-ismo is a three-year course taught during the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Activities within the program include lectures, interactive class presentations by both teachers and students, and crafts. At the end of the first year the kids present a theater play. During the second year they produce their own video clips.

A secondary activity of the PPAM is to teach basic reading to street children. In keeping with PPAM philosophy, teaching materials and programs are designed to increase self confidence and self esteem.

The PPAM is staffed by volunteers and paid professionals. Though the salary is very low, the education, training, effectiveness, and dedication of these professionals is world class.

The PPAM works in cooperation with three estabilished institutions:

Family Integration and Well Being (Bienestar e Integración Familiar), or BiFam, is a place where single-parent kids can go after school, five days a week. The kids get a hot meal, have activities, and take classes in crafts, English, and Yo-ismo. The parent is required to take an adult's class taught by the PPAM about raising a single-parent child.

Brother Paco Orphanage. In this orphanage for boys, the PPAM teaches Yo-ismo.

Shelter Homes (Hogares Providencia) is a an organization which runs about 10 houses for kids who live in the streets. In the houses they have a place to sleep, food, and friends. They are free to come and go, but while they live in one of the houses they must attend classes on basic reading, writing, mathematics and history, and they are not allowed to use drugs or have them in the house. The PPAM teaches the reading portion of the classes at one of the houses.

current activities

The first pictures of this project were taken on 16 August at BiFam.

We are planning a trip to Mexico City. Photography will contunue at BiFam (pending funding), and will commence at Brother Paco, Shelter Homes and the PPAM offices.

news

The last class period at BiFam finished in August. Unfortunately, unless funding is secured by either PPAM or BiFam, there will be no new PPAM classes at BiFam.

funding

Currently this is a volunteer project benefiting PPAM, and paid for by Musselman Photography. We are considering outside sources of funds.

support staff

Tom's assistant for this project is Maria Rodriguez.

photo galleries

coming soon

PPAM

BiFam

Brother Paco Orphanage

Shelter Homes