Cancer in Kenya: Giving a real chance of recovery

Dear Crafts for Cure Supporter, 

We are so excited to report on an impactful project that we hope, will be an annual event in our Crafts for Cure calendar. 

Through the American Cancer Society's SOURCE program (Strengthening Organization for United Response to Cancer Epidemic), Faraja received a grant for an amazing project: The Art Master Class. 

The Art Master Class aims to engage with inpatient children at Kenyatta National Hospital's pediatric oncology ward 1E in a one month fine arts training course. The ward accommodates about 28 children from ages 6-13. The class aims to benefit the children by imparting professional sketching, drawing and painting skills as well as introducing them to the world of fine arts: a plausible profession.

We started off with a trial class on the 30th of May 2018 to familiarize the children with basic art technology such as primary and secondary colours, sketching and types of paints. The Art Master Class team decided it would be best to incorporate the theme of Hope during the classes so as to ensure the children also received art therapy as they underwent treatment for various forms of cancer. Hope is important for any cancer patient to have, regardless of their age. 

The sessions were very well received and surpassed our expectations. The children expressed a willingness to learn more about art and painting. Since it was their first time being taught art by professionals, it took time for them to warm up to the idea of imaginative drawing and painting instead of copying their friends work. By the second class, the children began to draw and paint their own pieces.

At the end of the one month master class, five talented children were picked for the final project: a painting of their favourite dream. These paintings were framed and are to be auctioned to willing supporters. The starting bid for each art piece is 20,000 Kenyan Shillings (about USD 200)  

It is important to note that the Art Master Class was different from our regular art therapy classes. The Master Class worked on individual skills, the classes were more technical and artistic terminology was used and superior materials were used such as, acrylic paints, poster colours and art paper. 

The outcome were these four amazing art works that have consequently been framed and are ready for auction. 

Being the first time, we have learnt a lot and are keen to do it again next year. It proved to be a unique way of allowing the children to express themselves and it also inspired some of the children to pursue art as a profession. However no project is without its challenges.  Some of the children could not work on their own due to the side effects of chemotherapy treatment, others were discharged from hospital and sadly, a few succumbed to their illness. 

These art pieces are a testament to the ingenuity and creative prowess of children who, regardless of the odds, will always joyfully give a piece of themselves in glorious colouring. Each brush stroke represents their determination to fight a disease that may have ravaged their bodies but not their spirit. 

We look forward to having another art master class next year.

Links:

• Faraja's official website