Feelings through art, using animals and expression
On the afternoon of each visit the children had to the centre, we were able to work with them using art. The younger children worked with us, painting and expressing themselves through the drawing and paintings that they did with us. It was great to see them really using colour to express their feelings. They were joined by us as volunteers as we spread paper and paints all over the floor. We encouraged them to use colour to just draw and paint. Our aim was to just let the children express themselves rather than us telling them what to draw. Children will be very expressive using colour, even if they are unable to draw something specific. The children we worked with from Raising up hope were the younger children. Some of these children are too young to understand the consept of telling them to draw their feelings, so allowing them to express through colour became increasingly relavant. Some of 
them used their hands and feet to paint while some of them did draw pictures of the animals and Patrick from Raising up hope told them that they may if they wish, paint about the day they had had. The children made some creative pieces of work, as well as face painting which was great fun. The children appeared to enjoy themselves alot, as there were lots 
of smiles and laughter. Some of the children needed more help than others, which us as volunteers were able to get more involved in.
The second day we enjoyed a day of painting feelings with our 
group of children from KYDA which we had visited previously. The children were older and we based the artwork on feelings describing their life. The children came up with some wonderful drawings and paintings which they took great care over. The feelings were full of expression. After the children had finished their drawings we sat in a circle with them, where each child stood in the middle of the circle one by one, showing us their picture and then explaining their meaning of the painting. Many of them spoke about themselves and their 
families and the negatives and positives that were in their lives. Each child however, brought a positive attitude into their work. We as volunteers found this very exciting and interesting. After this the children performed a drama play to us that they had made up that day where they told a story through song and dance and acting about wildlife and conservation. We found that this was full of expression and showed us the work that was able to be done involving feelings and conservation through music, art and drama
We then took the children down to the front of Lake Victoria which the children seemed to enjoy. They had a chance to chat to us as volunteers and even taught us a Ugandan song and a dance which we all took part in. We were able to talk to them more about their families and past experiences and how and why they had come to the centre where they lived.
This was a great expereince for all of us as volunteers and we hope that the children enjoyed their day too.
By Roger Mallins, April 17, 2010 @ 10:30 am
It seems that your visit was entirely reciprocal,lets hope in the future you and the youngsters will remember these occasions.Who knows one day some of the youngsters will get as far as doing a University degree and even a PHD!!! Nothing is impossible if there is the will to not only survive but to succeed.My congatulations to all!!