Make believe kingdom helps build confidence
Esther Vardy recently completed the Business Planning phase of the Microbusiness Self Employment program and is now actively launching her business. This article appeared in her local paper, the Beaumont News on May 1, 2009 .
Workshop for young girls in partnership with Dove campaign for Real Beauty
Posted By Heather McIntyre
When it comes to royal treatment, Esther Vardy has it covered.
Vardy is starting a program out of her home in partnership with the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.
It’s a Real Beauty campaign in the form of a workshop for girls.
“It focuses on self-esteem, confidence, and their own definition of beauty,” said Vardy.
The program, titled Lotus Princess, is for girls aged six to 12.
“It’s based on a kingdom called Riovencia that my girls and I made up,” said Vardy, who has two daughters aged seven and 10. “I found open dialogue around things that matter with kids . . . and taking on the persona of their ideal person produces more raw feelings.”
Vardy and her family moved from Ontario to Beaumont just before the new year because her husband got a job as an electrician in the area. She had started to plan the workshop in Ontario after taking part in the Dove Real Beauty campaign training.
Dove offers workshop training which includes home-based modules with DVDs and sample projects that help teach people who are interested how to run their own workshops.
The program Vardy has come up with allows young girls to play the role of a princess in a royal kingdom. There are handmade princess dresses, etiquette lessons, a Royal Tea Party, and the key values of how to feel special and beautiful.
“I don’t know where it comes from but we all wanted to be a princess at some point in our lives,” Vardy said of young girls. “It’s about respect, manners, etiquette; teaching self-esteem, confidence, and even education itself.”
Vardy plans to start the program in her home in the Montalet area, but hopes it will grow. The first session is May 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I’m working toward a community partnership,” said Vardy. “My ultimate goal is to open a daycare or after school care (with these) values in the environment.
“I know there’s a big need for (child care) in Beaumont.”
The program would not be a child care one first and foremost, though.
“Kids play is like moving into a world not like the world they left behind,” said Vardy. “(There’s no) shyness or inhibitions.”
Vardy hopes to schedule a number of other workshops throughout the month of June and by the time July rolls around, she hopes it can become a week-long program kids can get involved with while they are out of school.
“I’m going to start it small and grow it into something to make a real difference,” said Vardy.
For more information on the program or to register for a spot for May 30, email Vardy at esther.vardy@gmail.com
|