New Arts Programme
In response to the children's request for art based activities
at the drop-in centre in Chiangmai, VGCD has recently started
a holistic, creative skills training and arts based programme.
This programme is to provide children with an opportunity to
engage in positive activities for fun, as a form of expression
and to improve their future job prospects. The curriculum aims
to help these children to heal their emotional problems and to
realise and build on their strengths and talents for a positive,
peaceful and happier future. Activities offered include a positive
thinking course, fine art and crafts using recycled material,
pottery, sculpture, textiles, computer skills training, jewellery,
music, drama, sport, photography, environmental awareness, organic
gardening and English communication. Local and foreign artists
and instructors have donated their services to this programme.
VGCD will regularly showcase and promote the sale of children's
art work at the drop-in centre in order to celebrate the children's
abilities. The aim of this is to raise children's self esteem
through displaying their work and facilitating an environment
for them to express their opinions and concerns. The artist will
be given 90% of the profit gained from the sale of their work
and the remaining 10% will be used to purchase more art materials
for this programme. Since these children are driven to the street
in order to make money, it is hoped that giving them a large
proportion of the sale will provide them with a further incentive
to persevere with the arts programme. Furthermore, it is hoped
that they learn to value their artistic creativity and foster
an alternative way of earning a living to that of selling themselves
into exploitation. Through the introduction of this arts programme,
VGCD aims to reach more of the 400 – 500 street children that
do not currently use the services provided at the drop-in centre
in Chiangmai.
