Success Stories
Art ‘Talks’ and Helps Former LRA Abductees
Ugandans Fred Mutebi, Margaret Nagawa and Vincent Okuja are internationally renowned artists. They are less well-known, however, for their humanitarian work. “Let Art Talk,” founded by Fred in 2003, is a volunteer-led organization. Their mission is to take art to grassroots communities and ensure that art is used as a vehicle for constructive change in the lives of ordinary Ugandans, especially children.
In Gulu, Let Art Talk is introducing a new and innovative art-therapy program at Laroo Primary School for War-Affected Children. The Belgian-funded government school serves child survivors of the 23-year insurgency of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA). The art program directed by Vincent meets twice a week and is supported by the U.S. Mission to Uganda’s Community Grants Program to Combat HIV/AIDS with PEPFAR funding.
Let Art Talk recently held a six-day intensive training in specialized art skills like clay modeling, printmaking and cassava batiks at Laroo School. The 45 orphans and vulnerable children, who struggle to communicate about such issues as their abduction and captivity, abuse and problems re-integrating into their communities, energetically participated in the program led by Margaret and Fred. Much of the artwork depicted stories about war in Uganda or portrayed images indigenous to Uganda’s environment.
In October, Fred and his team will organize an art show in Gulu to display the finished pieces. The show will bring attention to the children and their ongoing struggle to return to normal life, while also giving the children an opportunity to shine in public. Their woodcuts and prints will also be included with Fred and Margaret’s at art exhibitions around the world.
Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve insight. Laroo’s Art program turns every child into a participating artist. More importantly art is teaching these traumatized children another way to communicate.