Drawing as a lifeline for vulnerable youth in Mexico
Drawing as a lifeline for vulnerable youth in Mexico

Throughout 2024, the Royal Talens Foundation supported an art program for 158 young people in Cuernavaca, Mexico, run by WereldOuders and their partner organization Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Mexico. For many of these youngsters who have already faced significant difficulties in their young lives, creative expression has become a vital tool for healing and personal growth.

A structured approach to mental health through creativity

The program offered youngsters a choice of activities to participate in four times per week throughout the year: dance, music, theater, drawing, volleyball, soccer, or basketball. Regular weekend excursions complemented these activities, all designed as means of improving youth mental health.

Nineteen youngsters chose to participate in the drawing classes, which focused on encouraging creativity, artistic expression, and personal development. Each student received personalized guidance, allowing them to progress at their own pace and according to their individual abilities. The teaching approach emphasized results as a key motivator, helping participants overcome their personal challenges in an environment where creativity and continuous improvement were actively encouraged.

Exploring artistic techniques

With materials provided by Royal Talens, the youngsters explored various artistic techniques:

  • Freehand drawing with pencil to develop precision, stroke, and shading
  • Colored pencils focused on creating color compositions and mixing tonalities
  • Pastel chalks to experiment with textures and soft gradations
  • Watercolor promoting water and pigment control to create unique artistic effects

Through practical exercises and projects, students were challenged to experiment with and master these learned techniques.

Collaborative partnerships

The project involved partnerships with galleries in Mexico City that displayed the youngsters' drawings, as well as collaboration with local high schools that the youth attend, working together to improve art classes at the school level.

WereldOuders and NPH work with families and communities to provide vulnerable children in Latin America with what they need to grow up well. Their holistic approach recognizes creative expression as an essential component of healthy development and emotional wellbeing.

For more information about WereldOuders, visit wereldouders.nl or follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

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