Research studies have revealed the “psychologically damaging effects” children experience from living on the street, as well as the negative impact on their overall well-being and development (Schimmel, 2008). Because of a long history of oppression, abuse, poverty, severe health issues, and lack of resources, many families living in the Andes regions of South America often cannot adequately care for their children. (Psacharopoulos & Patrinos, 1994)
In South America, there are at least 14 million children on the streets (Psacharopoulos & Patrinos, 1994) and 6.5 million children living in severe poverty in Peru alone (Unicef, 2005). By safe estimates, over half a million of impoverished children in Peru are orphans (Unicef). More specifically, 60% of the 750 children in La Sagrada Familia, the main orphanage we support in Peru, do not know the whereabouts of their parents. 1 in 5 of the children have one identified parent, and many of these children have been abandoned due to their parent’s incarceration, prostitution, or substance abusing behaviors. (Rampy, 2009)
OUR RESPONSE
The process of creating art “allows children to feel safe, accepted, and to have a sense of belonging” (Holt, 1970; Burrill, 2005). Artistic expression helps children experience significant improvements in skill development and motivation, contributing positively to their “sense of self” (Rostan, 1998). Even in early childhood, “children begin to form color-emotion concepts or schemes (Boyatzis & Varghese, 1994), and art serves as a “necessary and optimal” means by which children learn to “write, read, and perform arithmetic” (Burrill, 2005) throughout every stage of development.
As artists and visual communicators, ALEGRIA exists to support established orphanage communities in these ways:
· Teach small-group workshops and expose the kids
to many different artistic mediums,
· Educate, expand the children's horizons by
introducing them to new fields
· Meet crucial needs in the orphanage. ALEGRIA provides resources to meet sustainable,
long-term needs in the orphanage communities we support, providing sustainable income
and resources for further growth
· Tell their story in internationally and locally, through events and exhibits
to raise funds for the orphanage needs, in partnership with
the vision of the founders of the orphanages
and their partnering organizations.
References
Boyatzis, C. J. & Varghese, R. (1994). Children's emotional associations with colors. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 155, 77.
Burrill, R. R. (2005). Natural biology vs. cultural structures: Art and child development in education. Teaching Artist Journal, 3, 31-40.
Holt, J. (1970). What Do I Do on Mondays? NY: Dutton.
Psacharopoulos, G. & Patrinos, H. A. (1994). Indigenous people and poverty in Latin America: An empirical analysis. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Rampy, M. (2009). Lima’s children’s home. Retrieved October 2009 from http://www.olivebranchministries.org
Rostan, S. M. (1998). A study of the development of young artists: The emergence of an artistic and creative identity. Journal of Creative Behavior, 32, 278-301.
Schimmel, N. (2008). A humanistic approach to caring for street children: The importance of emotionally intimate and supportive relationships for the successful rehabilitation of street children. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies An International Interdisciplinary Journal for Research, Policy and Care, 3, 3, 214-220.
Unicef. (2005). At a glance: Peru. Retrieved October 2009 from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/peru_statistics.html#