At the Rafa Nadal Foundation Centers in Valencia, Madrid, and Palma, we work every day to provide children and teenagers with safe spaces where they can grow, learn, and discover themselves.
On this path, the “On the Move” program has become a transformative experience that combines personal development, emotional support, and enriching activities outside the classroom for the teens we support in our centers.
In Valencia, the group recently completed a very special cycle focused on artistic expression as a tool for self-knowledge, communication, and exploration. On March 31, we had the privilege of collaborating with Andrea Oliva Nieves, a local artist, who led the group through a symbolic creative workshop.
Inspired by the arrival of spring and the renewed light of the changing season, the teens collaboratively created a “garden” made up of individual paintings.
Each of them portrayed themselves as a flower, bird, or insect, connecting with the personal traits they feel and wish to express. This visual metaphor allowed them to see themselves as valuable parts of a collective whole, contributing their individuality to the group they are building.
But the journey didn’t end there. On April 7, the group enjoyed a powerful sporting experience at the Nazaret Archery Club, guided by specialists Vicente, Jesús, and Jose.
Through archery, they explored key aspects like self-discipline, anxiety, and personal pressure, translating these concepts into physical and emotional experiences.
Each arrow shot was an opportunity to practice breathing, become aware of the body, and align mind with intention. A mindfulness exercise to strengthen their connection to themselves and to the present moment.
These two different yet complementary activities offered the teens unique spaces to express themselves, connect with their emotions, and relate in new ways with their environment.
“I’m really happy with the group’s evolution,” said the project coordinator in Valencia. “Although they know each other from our weekly sessions, ‘On the Move’ sparks new, more personal interactions. It’s great to see the genuine interest it’s generating—even among younger kids who are already asking when they’ll get to join.”