We have produced a ‘guidebook’ that helps explain some of our activities and experiences.
It is a tool kit to help school communities in conflict or militarised areas that have experienced many disruptions. We have designed this guidebook to support the needs of children through creativity and care. In the aftermath of the pandemic, along with political disturbances, many children have not had adequate education or care. In the regions of constant disruptions we understand that creativity and care go hand in hand, for as soon as we create anything, we give care to that creation. So, this is for teachers and front line workers in educational community settings to set up systems of care using creativity and arts based process that bring back the child/student to the centre. The guidebook can help by demonstrating how to place creative journeys within school communities. It will also help schools see how involvement in creative processes can make students feel and look visible through the arts and can support them in efforts to work out difficult life issues. It is also an encouragement for school communities to take up arts-based interventions as part of their school system and to institutionalise the methodology. Children communicate in many ways and languages. The approach discussed here is designed to help teachers to become facilitators who, through the creation of open spaces, allow students to speak those languages and articulate their needs.
If you would like more information, please email Vikram Sinha, Anurupa Roy, or Michael Buser.