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Fostering Children’s
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ChildArt | Art for Health Creativity in Uganda
Ministry of Education and Sports.
She told me, “This is a very good
project. It is in line with the govern-
ment initiative. It enriches our
children with creative skills for
work.” She pledged the Ministry’s
support. The Ministry helped distri-
bute the lesson plans to schools and
communities in all districts of Uganda.
More than 200 schools participated
this year in the free-of-charge school
Ahimbisibwe Mark Juniorr art program. Each school selected
Age 12, Uganda
the two best art pieces on the theme,
As the founder of Africa Peace Murals, a “My Favorite Sport.” The works were mailed
nonprofit for arts educators in Uganda, I have to the regional offices of the Ministry and then
had the opportunity to organize the Uganda to the head office in Kampala. Everyone was
Arts Olympiad since 2010. Over the past amazed to see how wondrously the young art-
decade, more than 10,000 students ists portrayed their favorite sports.
have participated in the Uganda Arts Well-known artist-educators such as Kwesiga
Olympiad which rewards their crea-
tivity and gives them hope. At the 2011
World Children’s Festival, the troupe from
Uganda won the music award. The kids wore
traditional Gomesi dresses made of barkcloth,
and their cowrie shells and feathers to repre-
sent Uganda’s indigenous cultures. When they
performed at the festival’s “World Stage,” the
gap between cultures dissipated.
To organize the prestigious 6th Arts Olympiad,
I requested a meeting with Dr. Turyagenda
Ayesigye Ianlee Jacob
Kedrace at the Directorate Education Standards, Age 12, Uganda