Poster Book

An illustrated guidebook with step by step, holistic strategies that empower children, youth and teachers
to overcome challenges, nurture self-confidence and lead personal and community change projects.

"

Written and illustrated by Juanita Naidoo Rea

CONTENT
Juanita Naidoo Rea

FOREWORD

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"

On November 8th, 2013 super Typhoon Yolanda-Haiyan, the

strongest ever recorded typhoon in history, struck the
Philippines. In response, the eduSOIL team created the I Can
R e g row p ro gr a m m e a n d wo r k b o o k s co n t a i n i n g
mindfulness-based, psycho-social healing and community
rebuilding strategies for children and youth aected by
trauma especially in disaster relief areas.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Juanita Naidoo Rea
DFC Global

"

DESIGN and LAYOUT

Juanita Naidoo Rea
Anirudh Ashok
Yeisha Hirani

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Due to rising demand for such strategies to be available for

all children experiencing stress and trauma, I Can Regrow
became the TransformME programme, providing a space
for children and youth to experientially learn strategies to:
-release negative thoughts, feelings and emotions
-remember their innate positive nature and inner power
-regrow their lives and communities, with mindful
awareness of personal healing

"

Our TransformME interventions, trainings and resources

also support adults, parents and volunteers who themselves
endure immense pain during their eorts to help others
who have experienced trauma. We provide toolkits so that
groups can self-organise and conduct workshops in which
they continue using the simple strategies in the ongoing
process of releasing negative emotions, remembering
positive strengths and regrowing their lives.
Copyright 2015 Juanita Rea

CONTENTS

1. RELEASE!
Shake it!
Feel it!
Trash it!
Burn it!
Compost it!
Exhale it!
Oer it!

4
5
6
7
8
9
10

2. REMEMBER!
Rainbow Blessings 1 (Ages 5-12)
Rainbow Blessings 1 (Ages 13+)

12
13

3. REGROW!
Seven steps to solve problems.
Feel what bothers you.
Imagine a solution.
Do the act of change.
Share your story with others.
Reflect on what you are learning.
Enjoy believing that you can
Sustain with long lasting strategies
Are you regrowing your community?

"

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

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RELEASE

negative thoughts, feelings & emotions

STEP ONE and TWO: Find a place to stand, close your eyes and just
breathe in and out slowly. If any happy thoughts come into your
mind, imagine that your mind is a special computer where you can
save all memories. If any sad thoughts come into your mind, you can
move it from your mind into your body by shaking your fingers, feet,
arms and legs to let the feeling out. You can even think about a song
you like as you shake yourself around!

Learning Intention
I can save happy thoughts in my mind and use my
body to shake o sad feelings.

"

Follow the pictures, arrows and step by step instructions.

Additional Materials: Music

STEP FIVE: In the last

few minutes stand,
close your eyes and just
listen to your breathing.
When your breathing is
relaxed, it means that
your body and mind is
resting and healing.
Your heart tells you
many things about your
true self. Just listen to
your breathing and
listen to your heart.

RELEASE!

STEP THREE and FOUR: Now sit

down, close your eyes and think
about happy things that happen
in the world and save them in
your special computer mind! If
any sad thoughts about the earth
come into your mind send them
into your body, stand up, jump
around and shake o the sadness.
Listen to the changes in your
breathing as you let yourself
move as much as you need to.

FEELINGS
WORD BANK:

Learning Intention
I can identify and describe dierent
feelings and emotions and their causes.

"

Look at the pictures and answer the questions.

10.______________________
10.
____________________

1. 1.
_____________________
____________________
2. _____________________

2. ____________________
____________________
9.9._____________________

3. _____________________

3. ____________________

8.8._____________________
____________________

____________________
7. 7.
_____________________

a. Look closely at each picture. Copy the expression in each picture to show the
same feeling on your face.
b) Close your eyes , relax your body, listen to the sounds around you and take a
few deep breaths in and out. Check how you are feeling right now. Now allow
your mind to gently become aware of dierent feelings you have had recently.
See if you can notice if any of those feelings are dicult or painful to
4. _____________________
remember. If any dicult emotion appears, try taking a few deep breaths. 4. ____________________
b. Open your eyes and read the words from the word bank. Talk to a partner
about which word describes each picture. Take turns to discuss reasons why
each child feels this way. Then talk about times that you had these feelings.

6. _____________________

5.5._____________________
____________________

6. ____________________

RELEASE!

Angry
Amused
Afraid
Peaceful
Annoyed
Blissful
Relaxed
Shocked
Excited
Sad

Learning Intention
I can identify and express negative
experiences
in writing or drawing.

Date____________________
Follow
the pictures, arrows and step by
step instructions.

STEP ONE AND TWO: Sit down, close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you.
Take a few deep, slow breaths and relax your body. Slowly let your mind recall
something that really upset you. It could be something that is very dicult to talk
about. Write or draw it on a piece of paper. Feel free to write whatever your wish
because no-one else is going to see it. You could also draw if you prefer.

Date____________________

Additional Materials: Paper, pen, pencils, paper recycling bin

STEP FOUR: When you are ready, throw

your emotionally charged trash into the
paper recycling bin. If you have more
stressful or traumatic experiences to trash,
get more paper and repeat the steps.

STEP THREE: When you

finish writing, read what
you have written or look
at what you have drawn.
Then gather any feelings
that dont feel good into
your hands and use it to
squash up the paper or to
tear it into pieces. For
example, if you are feeling
sadness then use the
sadness to crumple or tear
the paper.

Learning Intention
I can use my mind and energy to face my fears and dissolve negative memories.
Follow the pictures, arrows and step by step instructions.

Date____________________

STEP ONE: Close your eyes , relax

your body, listen to the sounds
around you and take a few deep
breathes in and out.

STEP TWO: Now think

about something that
made you feel very afraid
during Yolanda. Place your

STEP THREE: Now imagine

that inside your stomach
area, is a warm sun!

STEP TWO: Now think about something that made you feel very afraid
recently. Place your hands on your stomach. As you inhale feel your
stomach expand (get bigger) As you exhale, feel your stomach contract
(get smaller)

Date____________________

STEP FOUR: As you breathe

out, all the dissolved fears
come out of your body like
invisible smoke.

STEP THREE cont. As you

breathe in, the fears go
down from your mind
into your body and they
dissolve in the heat of the
sun inside you.

Repeat the cycle three times.

Learning Intention
I can transform negative emotions into a positive
environmental activity.

"

STEP TWO: Bring the feelings into

your hands and tear up the paper

Follow the pictures, arrows and instructions.

STEP THREE: Gather all the
shredded paper into a bowl or bag.
STEP ONE: Close your eyes , relax your
body, listen to the sounds around you
and take a few deep breathes in and
out. Check whether you are feeling sad
or upset. Get some paper and a pen and
release your feelings by writing down
exactly how you feel.

Additional Materials: Paper, pen, pencils, paper recycling bin

STEP FOUR cont. You can also use

the shredded papers for mulching.
Plant a seeding and use the
shredded paper to cover the area
around the stem and roots. Your
paper will help water stay in the
soil longer and help the seedling
to grow.

STEP FOUR: Find or build

a compost box and place
your shredded papers
inside it. Add only food
waster and cover with soil
or a lid. The heat will help
the food and paper to
decompose faster.

Learning Intention
I can use my breath to inhale & exhale fear or love.

Follow the pictures, arrows and step by step instructions.

STEP TWO: As you exhale slowly

count 1, 2, 3, with your inner
voice. Let your stomach contract
(get smaller, flatter), let any
stressful feelings (or any feelings
that make your heart feel sad)
come out of your body as you
breathe out.

STEP ONE: Close your eyes ,

relax your body, listen to the
sounds around you and take
a few deep breathes in and
out. Check whether you are
feeling stressed, sad, afraid (or
have any feeling that doesnt
feel good) Inhale and count 1,
2, 3 with your inner voice.
Think about something you
love and as you inhale, let
your stomach expand (get
bigger) and let your whole
body be filled with love.

STEP TWO cont. Repeat the cycle

5 times. You can also slow your
breath even more by counting
with your inner voice.

"

Inhale love: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Exhale fear 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

"
"

EXTENSION: When you finish five

cycles, take 3 normal breaths. You can
start another cycle to the count of 5.

OR

"

Inhale love 1-10

Exhale fear 1-10

Inhale love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hold love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Exhale love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

STEPS THREE, FOUR and FIVE:

When you finish five cycles, take 3
normal breaths. Start the next
cycle. This time, after inhaling
love, you will also hold your
breath, to let the love stay in your
body for longer .

"

After five cycles, take three normal

breaths and if you want to start another
cycle to the count of 10.

"

"

Inhale love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Hold love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10
Exhale love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

RELEASE!

Inhale love 1, 2, 3
Hold love 1, 2, 3
Exhale love 1, 2, 3

Learning Intention
I can oer sad feelings to the sun and remember
to receive
rainbow blessings.
Follow the pictures, arrows and step by step
instructions.

STEPS ONE, TWO and THREE: Stand or sit outside,

close your eyes and place your hands together.
Slowly feel the warmth between your hands..and
feel the warmth of sun on your body. Breathe in
and out, just listening to the sounds and feeling
the sunlight. If any sad, fearful thoughts, memories
or feelings come into your mind, open up your
hands and imagine that you can oer it to the Sun
and the Sun, with no eort at all, just dissolves it in
its heat as you exhale deeply. It does not matter
what your beliefs are-the sun is a life giving force
so take some time each morning to connect to it.

STEP FIVE: Each time you

send your sad feelings,
pain and fear to the sun,
it may just send you a
rainbow blessing! So after
each message you send,
see a beautiful rainbow
appearing and covering
your whole body with
colourful magical, light.
Say thank you, with your
inner voice, for the
rainbow blessing.

STEP FOUR: Ask yourself What am I feeling? If you

have any feelings that dont feel good, remember that
you should release them. If you keep it in your mind, it
can make you feel bad but if you oer it to the sun, it
can be transformed into a rainbow blessing!

RELEASE!

"

REMEMBER
innate positivity & inner power

11

RAINBOW BLESSINGS 1

Ages 5-12

A rainbow with seven ways to think positively, remember your

What? inner power and give yourself a special blessing.

Why?
How?

magic inside us! With this RAINBOW BLESSINGS

Rainbows are magical reminders of the powerful,
to help you re-member your inner magic!
poster you can choose daily/weekly affirmations

Choose a sentence. Read it. Then close your eyes and use your inner voice to repeat the words.
Imagine
yourself doing something that makes these words come to life! Open your eyes and remember the
sentence as
many times during the day as possible.
12

RAINBOW BLESSINGS 2

Ages 13+

A rainbow with 21 qualities to use to think positively, remember

your inner power and give yourself a special blessing.
Rainbows are magical reminders of the powerful, magic inside us! With this poster you can
choose daily/weekly affirmations to help you re-member your inner magic!

What?

Why?

How?

Choose a value. Say, write and express it as an INTENTION. eg. I CAN BE KIND. When you are
ready,
express it as an affirmation. eg. I AM KIND Then close your eyes and let your inner voice repeat
the words.
Imagine yourself doing something that makes these words come to life! Open your eyes and rememb
er the
sentence as many times during the day as possible.
13

"

REGROW

myself & our community, mindfully

14

SEVEN DESIGN THINKING STEPS

TO CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR ISSUES

THAT AFFECT YOU!

With thanks to Grade 8 learners from Concepcion National High School for
illustrating our seven steps. (D Pearl Bay, Busuanga, Palawan June 22-28th, 2014)
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STEP ONE

FEEL WHAT BOTHERS YOU!-

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1. What do you see in the picture?

2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
could they have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading FEEL WHAT
BOTHERS YOU. Follow the guidance of
your teacher or mentor and identify
what bothers you. Be honest. Share
what you feel comfortable to share.
The issue you choose, should be
something that you want to see
changed, and perhaps, with some help
from friends who share your feelings,
it can be. After writing the issue on a
piece of paper, group the issues together
and make a graph. Choose headings that
describe the issues grouped together.
5. This is a guided voting process. You will
see which issues are the most pressing and
which to take action on first.

STEP TWO

IMAGINE A SOLUTION
1. What do you see in the picture?
2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
could they have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading IMAGINE A
SOLUTION. Follow the guidance of
your teacher or mentor and in groups,
brainstorm solutions to the issue you
have chosen to address.
5. Each person in the group should have
a turn to present their idea to the
group. Then everyone will vote for the
idea they want to take action on as a
group. Assess the idea with these criteria:
Replication: Can it be copied easily?
Impact: Can it reach many people, quickly?
Sustainability: Can it last a long time?
6. Choose the idea that your group will be
able to actually do in at least one week.
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STEP THREE

DO THE ACT OF CHANGE

1. What do you see in the picture?
2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
could they have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading DO THE ACT
OF CHANGE. Follow the guidance of
your teacher or mentor and in groups,
plan how you will take action on the
issue you have chosen to address.
5. Think about and discuss the following:
Resources: What do you need?
Budget: Do you need any money?
People: How many people do you need to
help you?
Timeline: When will you take action?
6. Take photos of everything that you are
doing. You will use it to tell your story
when you complete your project.
18

STEP FOUR

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH

THE WORLD

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1. What do you see in the picture?

2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
could they have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading SHARE YOUR
STORY WITH THE WORLD. Follow the
guidance of your teacher or mentor
and in groups, plan how you will document
and share your story with others.
5. Try out these ways to spread awareness:
School Assembly
Posters/Petitions
Parents meetings
Informing other schools
Contact your local newspaper
Community campaign
6. Choose a media to tell your story:
Word document: with text and photos
Powerpoint: text and photos
Video: with photos and video clips

STEP FIVE

REFLECT ON WHAT YOU

ARE LEARNING
I can be the change in the
world, by listening to my
heart.

20

1. What do you see in the picture?

2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
could they have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading REFLECT ON
WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING. Follow the
guidance of your teacher or mentor
and in groups, take at least 5-10 mins to
pause, look within and reflect.
5. During this time, relax your body, listen to
your heartbeat, breath and ask for
guidance. Think about the Core
Understandings: Every person has the
power to heal and create positive change.
All change in the world, radiates from my
heart. Visualise the change and answer
the Essential Questions (pg 23)
6. Repeat the TransformME Mantra, if you
ever feel like the challenges are too big!

"

STEP SIX

ENJOY BELIEVING THAT

YOU CAN

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1. What do you see in the picture?

2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt? What could
they have learned about themselves during
this activity?
4. Think about the heading ENJOY
BELIEVING THAT YOU CAN. Follow the
guidance of your teacher or mentor and in
groups, spend time just enjoying being a
changemaker, who changes from within.
5. Choose some music to listen to or to dance
to. Close your eyes, feel the rhythm of
the music and repeat the TransformME
Mantra, with your inner voice, I CAN BE
THE CHANGE IN THE WORLD, BY
LISTENING TO MY HEART! Talk about
how you feel afterwards.
6. Take time to strategise, list your goals
celebrate your successes.
7. How have you changed? Compare the old
you and the new you-.

STEP SEVEN

SUSTAIN WITH LONG

LASTING STRATEGIES

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1. What do you see in the picture?

2. Why do you think the children did this?
3. How do you think they felt and what
they could have learned about themselves
during this activity?
4. Think about the heading SUSTAIN
WITH LONG LASTING STRATEGIES.
Follow the guidance of your teacher
or mentor and in groups, plan how you
will sustain your change project.
5. Regularly reflect on the Essential
Questions:
What am I doing to be the change I wish
to see in the world? Am I listening to my
heart while being the change I feel is
needed? Do my actions show what I know
about my inner self?
6. Schedule regular meetings to assess your
actions and decide on what changes
you need to make to your strategies.
Believe in your greatest potential to
change yourself-and the world.

Are you being a TransforMEr?

ARE YOU CHANGING YOURSELF, AND THE WORLD?

Remember to collect photos/drawings of all seven steps:

FEEL, IMAGINE, DO, SHARE, REFLECT, ENJOY, SUSTAIN! After
working on your action project for at least a week OR when
you feel that you have completed it, send in your story to
inquiry@edusoil.com

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You could be an ambassador at the annual BE THE CHANGE

Celebration! The BTC Conference is a special gathering of
children from all over the world who are transforming
problems into solutions.

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DFC Global oers a $500 travel grant to the child/group who

are chosen as annual ambassadors from all participating
countries. Just use this book to lead the change needed in
your community and you could be chosen as a BTC
Ambassador!

"
"
"Submit your story & you could win
"
"a trip to the BTC Celebration!!!
"
"
Email inquiry@edusoil.com to find out more.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? WHAT DOES IT TEACH?

This book is part of eduSOILs TransformME Toolbox for children, youth and teachers to help them overcome daily stress and traumatic situations.

"

It provides illustrated step-by-step guidelines for children, youth and teachers to:
release negative thoughts, feelings and emotions
remember their innate positive nature and inner power
regrow their lives and communities, with mindful awareness of personal healing

"

Toolbox

HOW CAN THIS POSTER BOOK BE USED?

This work-
book can be
used (by)

ANYONE

TEACHERS

PARENTS

W i t h t h e Firstly, you need to purchase the TransformME Starter Pack to get the Teacher Toolkit and entry into our Design For Change School
Starter Pack Challenge, Refer to the TransformME Poster book during Release and Remember lessons. Use the Teacher Toolkit for Regrow lessons and
and Teacher
make sure to display and discuss each learning intention. When children have completed drafting their story of change, assist them to
Toolkit

submit it onto our online submission platform that you will gain access to after you

With
workbooks

Use the poster book and workbook to create

a learning environment with children and
youth. The tracking sheet will enable each
child to manage their own learning. You
could use the workbooks in a club for
changemakers!

Use the poster book and workbook to

supplement your Life Skills curriculum. This
may be useful especially if your school itself
is in need of upliftment as the activities can
engage learners in change projects that they
can lead themselves.

Use the workbook to create a learning

environment with your own children. Share
stories with them about your experiences
and enjoy learning with your children.

With the
Toolbox

Use the materials to enable the children and

youth to identify how to attend to issues
aecting them and others in the community.
Use the materials for weekly club activities.

Use the materials to enable your students to

attend to issues aecting them and others in
the community. Use the materials to support
your Life Skills curriculum.

Use the Toolbox to support your children to

develop empathy, innovation, critical
thinking while addressing issues aecting
themselves and others in the community.

Most importantly, do the activities with the children and youth. By releasing your own negative emotions, remembering your own positivity and
regrowing your own heart and mind, you can help others heal and together you can heal communities. By changing yourself-you are changing the world!

Copyright 2015 Juanita Rea