Art is an important means of expression, and can also be therapeutic, especially for people under distress. It is with this in mind that UNHCR partnered with some artists for the Artists for Refugees project.
“I know the power of art, and how it can be used as a tool to communicate powerful stories and messages,” says Emmanuel Nyabera, the UNHCR spokesman.
The project focuses on the training of artists in both Kakuma and Daadab camp. The premise of the project funded by UNHCR and implemented by Film Aid came with the stereotypes and intolerance that the refugees have faced, especially with the security situation in the country.
It was therefore launched to change this negative perception and to show that refugees are law abiding people that can contribute positively towards the economy.
According to Emmanuel, a lot of the refugees are born in the camps and is very easy for people outside to forget about them, especially now increasing emergencies in the world.
“There are so many artists in the camp, but rarely are they encouraged to or get a chance to interact with artists from the host country,” adds Emmanuel.
For the visual art part, Victor Ndula, illustrator and Star’s editorial cartoonist was brought on board, together with Celeste Wamiru and John Nyaga, both illustrators.
“The whole idea is that there have been negative stories about refugees,” says Victor, adding that it is time to change those perceptions and make others understand more about the circumstances in the camps.
According to Victor, the story of the refugees need to be told.
“When you are there, you meet people who have had careers but due to circumstances, end up in the refugee camps. They cannot come to Nairobi and they cannot go back to their countries,” he says.
This timely project, comes with three main objectives. One is to give the refugees a voice and an opportunity to express themselves using art; the second; to give them a source of livelihood.
“I have met artists there who have worked professionally in their countries but because they cannot get our permits or due to their refugee status, they cannot work outside the camp. Giving them this chance will help them get work within the camps,” says Victor.
The third objective is to use art as therapy. As most of them are running away from conflict, they use art as an outlet for their emotions and experiences. “If you give kids in the camps paper and pen to draw something, they end up drawing guns because that’s what they’ve seen,” says Emmanuel adding that it is also a good way for the residents at the camp to pass time as most of them are idle.
The project started in May at Kakuma refugee camp, where the trainers took the time to interact with the artists to figure out what they want to do and the areas they want to focus on. It will also be rolled over at Daadab.
It has also featured two groups of artists: young and impressionable-between 13 and 30, and those who are starting out- who will be trained in both traditional and digital art. There is also the older artists, who are incorporated into the project to act as mentors to the young ones.
According to Emmanuel, the response has been highly positive. “The first time you meet these artists and call them, the first reaction would be “what have we done? For them, their art has been something that made the community ostracise them,” he says.
Apart from art, they have also incorporated music and sports, with the help of musician, Henry Ohanga, also known as Octopizzo.
With the training, the artists slowly coming out and taking part in the project. The empowering nature of art is seen when they are able to tell their own stories and create their own spaces to work.
For Victor, the chance to work together with artists from different countries has not only opened up the possibilities and exposure to different kinds of art. “I am grateful for peace because it is very important to practice the craft,” he says,
The project will culminate in an exhibition in Nairobi in October 2015.