Drawing gives me freedom - Dibujar me da alas

A PROJECT TO SUPPORT ECUADORIAN CHILDREN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Johanna Quina Fustillos is a student at the School of Education, University of Leeds, where she has just completed her MA degree in Childhood Studies. Fresh from that experience, a few months ago she and a team of teachers and NGO workers in Quito Ecuador began a project entitled Drawing Gives Me Freedom. This is a social-aid project developed in Quito-Ecuador to support children during the COVID-19 global health crisis. This project began with a dream to provide art classes and emotional support to low-income children who have been severely affected by the pandemic. As is well known, children are always the most vulnerable population in any social and environmental global crisis; thus, their safety and well-being must be a priority.  In this particular case, whilst the Covid-19 virus may not significantly affect young people and children, other problems associated with a prolonged period of confinement have appeared.

In Ecuador, for instance, the number of cases of abuse, mistreatment and murder of children grew during the confinement. In this context, Drawing Gives Me Freedom is a way to be close to children, transmit their messages through social networks and provide them with a moment of relaxation and fun through art classes. Moreover, this team of professionals want to create social awareness about the experience of being a child in a global health crisis. What do the children think about the pandemic? What roles have the children played in their homes? What are their hopes for the future? The answers to these questions are portrayed in the children’s artworks.

The aim is to provide 100 kits of painting materials that include colour pencils, cardboards, brushes, a set of tempera, and many other things to motivate the children to draw and let their imaginations fly. After four months, the project has ten volunteer teachers, 40 beneficiary children and new allied organizations.  About 50% of the project’s objectives have been achieved - but this is not enough! These Ecuadorian children need your help to exploit their full artistic potential.  As we are sure you will agree, making sure that children have the time and space to play, especially at times of crisis, is vital.

For these reasons, because children have the right to physical, mental, and emotional well-being, the Drawing Gives Me Freedom Team invites you to join this beautiful project. Any help is welcome. In the following link, you will find more information about the project and how to make your contribution:

https://vivartclasearte.wixsite.com/dibujarmedaalas?lang=en