PostCards from the World, My Dream of Peace
Art encourages children to think about the world in a different way, helping them to express their hopes and dreams for a better future. By implementing PostCards from the World, My Dream of Peace it was the hope of TIMOTCA it would help provide a safe space for children who are experiencing the trauma and violence of war to express their thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening way.
Teachers participating in the program have said it has helped children cope with stress and anxiety caused by the war and helped them to express their emotions in a healthy way. The program encouraged their creativity and imagination, which is so important for children who are displaced from their homes, providing them with a sense of connection and support.
In Rwanda, after the genocide in 1994, art was used to help children heal from the trauma they had experienced. Children were encouraged to draw and paint about their experiences, and this helped them to process their emotions and begin to move on.
In Sierra Leone, during the civil war, art was used to help children express their hopes and dreams for peace. The children were encouraged to draw pictures of what they wanted their country to be like after the war, and this helped them to stay positive and focused on the future.
In Afghanistan, after the Taliban takeover in 2021, art was used to help children cope with the uncertainty and fear they were feeling. They were encouraged to draw their experiences, and this helped them to express their emotions and begin to adjust to their new reality.
Art can be a powerful tool for healing, coping, and building community. It can also be a powerful force for promoting peace.
Please help TIMOTCA support the children in Ukraine through its partnership with World Vision. With your donation your will receive the beautiful and touching book of their art – My Dream of Peace, From the Children of Ukraine. Timorca.org/donate-ukraine