Art Therapy In Namibia |
Creative Arts Therapists Cheryl Walpole & christi meyer volunteered at an environmental educational camp in the Namib desert, called NaDEET. They provided art therapy to the campers who range in age and economic status. We left the camp with the resources to not only enrich their culture, but with the ability to achieve self-expression through art.
for further information please feel free to contact either of us at our email:
cheryl@arttherapynewyorktonamibia.com
arttherapynewyorktonamibia.com
|
-
Photos
Another week went by and we have two more school groups to go. Christi and I are finally mastering our cooking skills and getting used to desert life. After two weeks in a row with the 6th graders from DHPS in Windhoek, we could see how important the use of creative expression really is. Being one of the best schools in Nambia, DHPS impressed us with their vast intellect and fluency in three different languages (German, Afikaans, English). The 12 year old chatter had to be translated for us! Kids are kids regardless what culture they belong to and the dramas that ensue at that age were ever present. This being said, the children responded to art quite positively. We gave them the safe space to openly create without judgment or grades. Unlike many other schools in Namibia, DHPS is lucky enough to have art as a part of the curriculum, and at NaDEET they had the chance to create “what they want” without the fear of being graded. Once Christi and I presented our directives and a safe space to share within the small groups, the children flourished and sometimes had difficulty stopping their work! The week quickly came to a close with many goodbyes, some tearful, most joyful. The power of our work was present on the faces of the kids as the bus rolled away.
