Project Launch:

Like most rural communities, El Carmen in El Salvador struggles to offer its youth outlets for creativity. Many children spend their days working in their parents' fields at a very young age. Through a community painting and art festival, made possible with support from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program, participating youth explored their artistic sides and made lasting works of art. In collaboration with the school and the community’s ADESCO or community development organization, the kids painted the cement electrical poles lining the dusty town roads, brightening up the community, displaying positive messages, and giving the children a source of pride and accomplishment. The project succeeded at uniting the community and instilling in the children a sense of local ownership. Following the project, ADESCO organized an art walk throughout the community giving the children an opportunity to showcase their work to friends and neighbors.