Our World Through Children's Eyes
Our World Through Children's Eyes Program
Our World Through Children's Eyes is an art based program involving children from small rural schools in NSW and in Peru, addressing the important need for children in small communities to be provided with and learn about other children's cultural around the world.
The project supports children artistic expression, giving children the opportunity to express their learning by painting on individual canvases and community murals as well as through letters written between the schools.
Art based programs provide the teachers with an understanding of the children knowledge, gained from participating in the workshops. It encourages more children to engage with the subject matter, in comparison with traditional methods. Methodologically speaking, it can bring children from "the back to the front of the classroom".
By participating in the different stages of the program the children see the connections between communities that bring them together, and are left with a positive memory of their experience and the children retain the information from their involvement in the project.
The children are presented with lifelong learning skills, such as developing the ability to ultilise their local surroundings to help them interpret and learn about cultural and social issues. Discussions around the project bring an understanding and appreciation of other cultures and provides them with an important foundation for their development of their worldview, locally and globally.
Our children will become tomorrow's leaders and exposing them to this project will help build an environmental consciousness. Developing an understanding and increasing our younger generation's awareness of ecological processes and natural systems enhances the whole community's quality of life, now and in the future.
Project Manager Phil Pittman has coordinated over six years period, ninety workshops and fourteen exhibitions for children with a strong focus in rural regions of NSW. Internationally, Phil has facilitated programs with children in Japan (2002), Vietnam (2004) and Peru (2007)
The project topic for 2008 is "Natural Phenomina”
In 2008 we intend to focus on the impact of natural phenomina. Through their art, the Australian children from six NSW primary schools will communicate their experiences of bushfires, droughts and floods, and the Peruvian children will reflect their experiences with earthquakes.
In 2006/2007 we supported children's artistic expression and educated children about the need to protect threatened species and their habitats, by initiating an art based conservation and cultural exchange program between children from 12 rural schools in NSW and Peru. Schools in both countries participated in an environmental education and art programs.
The project supports children's artistic expression, cultural awareness and educated them about the need to protect threatened species and their habitats.
In mid November 2007 a selection of the Peruvian children's artwork will be displayed at the small rural schools. These activities provide an opportunity for children to ask further questions and learn more about Peruvian lifestyle.
Response from the 2006/2007 program:
"Wow how amazing to think our little outback school was a part of all of this, we are so pleased we participated and I certainly look forward to your visit towards the end of the year. I will look into asking the P&C for some funding to help out with the project. We don't have a lot of money but we will see if we can help out as much as we can.
The paintings done by the Peruvian children are fabulous!!!"
- Kind regards, Cathy Hatton, Carinda Public School
Jane Gavel Founder of Peru's Challenge reflects on the project's benefit to her school:
"For the 130 children attending the Pumamarca School near Cuzco this was such a beneficial exercise. Never had these children worked with paint nor had the opportunity to express themselves through this medium. But to watch them be so enthralled in the class and to take in everything the teachers taught them with such dedication was inspirational."
Kerry Boyenga, Broulee Primary School Teacher, responding to the photos from the Peru stage:
"Thank you for the wonderful photos. It is fabulous to see the photos of all the Peruvian children. Will you give our regards and tell them we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their mural. I have shown the photos to staff and children at Broulee Primary School for everyone to see. The children thank you also for sending the photos. It is a wonderful thing you are doing with them. "
Sponsors / Benefactors
Page updated 14 Sep 2007
