Thirsty for Change? Art and Water Unite Youth

Summary

This project will train Youth as environmental leaders of conservation efforts in the Pico Bonito National Park, ensuring access to clean drinking water by building cohesion among rival communities.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Over 200 communities live in poverty on the northern coast of Honduras, struggling daily with water scarcity. El Nance and Tacualtuzte, two of the communities that ArtCorps works with, have a long history of conflict as a result of scarce resources. Before they can collaborate on water management, they need to be able to imagine a shared future. ArtCorps will work with youth from these rival communities, using art to heal divisions and reconnect them to the natural environment they share.

How will this project solve this problem?

The Artist will train youth groups from both communities to create a shared identity through silkscreen, develop socially-focused radio dramas, paint environmental murals, and clean up rivers in order to cultivate young stewards of scarce resources.

Potential Long Term Impact

Youth and water councils in rival communities will unite to find common solutions to water distribution. Youth will increase knowledge of environmental challenges, sharpen creative problem-solving skills and develop confidence as community leaders.

Project Message

The [ArtCorps] artists have opened new windows and have shown new ways and options to address the problems the communities face, enabling increased participation and leadership development....
- Carlos Cruz Estrada, President of AJAASSPIB

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources