Uganda has the second youngest population in the world, with around half of its 46 million people below the age of 15. The country also also one of the highest rates of depressive disorders in Africa (4.6%; Miller et al., 2020), while 2.9% live with anxiety disorders (WHO, 2017) and 1 in 4 (5,750,000) children below the age of 15 experience some form of psychosocial distress. (UNICEF 2021).
Many of these children are deprived of parental care, lack access to basic needs, reside in broken families, and need psychosocial support. Their circumstances deny them the opportunity to grow up in supportive, loving environments, and prevent them becoming grounded, smart, and responsible young adults. Adverse effects on children’s social functioning inhibits their ability to make and maintain meaningful relationships, to thrive and attain their life aspirations.
Through arts education, Faces Up addresses the most urgent psychosocial needs of thousands of young people, both in and out of schools. In turn, it delivers improved prospects and a happy and stable life for hundreds more people in local communities across Uganda.
Unless we address the issues that undermine young people and prevent them learning, living healthy and developing their potential, we effectively limit their life opportunities.
Creative expression supports cognitive and fine motor skills development, which is essential for the healthy development among children and young people.
Engaging in arts and crafts within a safe and supportive environment helps young people to process their stress and heal from traumatic life experiences.
The beauty of art is that it has no boundaries or barriers; it’s a universal language that excites and liberates children and young people. Art creation brings joy to artists as well as viewers.
Together, we can do great things! Let‘s reach out to more young people from underserved communities.
Invest in the education of children from financially challenged backgrounds by purchasing their artworks or merchandise featuring their artistic designs. Visit www.store.facesup.org and help enable children at the margins to access life-changing education.
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