THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED!
Thank You for your support!

Project Description:

This project aims to diminish the levels of risk that children and youth in at-risk communities of Managua and Esteli, Nicaragua are exposed to by offering art and leadership education which will address problems of rights violation, violence and HIV/AIDS.

The expected impact of this project, over two years, includes:

• 600 children and youth at-risk with greater awareness of human rights, stronger leadership skills and knowledge about prevention of HIV/AIDS and violence.


• 600 children and youth increase artistic skills and creativity, gain cultural knowledge, self esteem, confidence and leadership skills.


• Greater voice for and participation of children and youth at-risk in community structure; citizenship development amongst child and youth participants.


• Changing attitudes of parents and communities towards abilities of and opportunities for children and youth at-risk.


• 5 Managua markets beautified with murals, increased sense of community with marketplaces.


• Changing attitudes of parents, communities and children and youth at-risk towards rights, violence and HIV/AIDS prevention.


• Increase in healthy, preventative practices, reduction of community violence and lower rates of HIV/AIDS infection.

Update from the field: June 2010

Throughout the life of this project, FUNARTE led bi-weekly artistic workshops which focused on the themes of human rights, neighbourhood violence and HIV/AIDS prevention which reached a total of  1164 in Estelí; 54% female), significantly surpassing the project’s goal of 1000 children / youth. 

FUNARTE held two artistic festivals and four artistic expositions, which facilitated an increased community dialogue around issues of children’s rights, HIV/AIDS and violence prevention. Project beneficiaries (including parents) reported attitudinal changes based on the knowledge gained about children’s rights and the prevention of violence and HIV/AIDS from the training activities of this project. 

Six workshops with 437 parents (proposed target: 450 parents) were conducted on the prioritized themes; pre and post knowledge testing was not done, but the parents received ample information on the prioritized themes, participated in the same artistic and recreational activities as their children (including mural painting and dance), continued to send their children to the cultural programs (which included workshops on the prioritized themes) and reported with anecdotal evidence that they were being educated at home by their children on these issues.

Update from the field: November 2009

This project is nearing completion and only requires $5,000 of your support to reach its goals. The campaigns to educate children about violence prevention, children’s rights and avoidance of HIV/AIDS have reached over 10,000 children in the region. 

Teachers and Parents report that their children are improving their self esteem, learning about Nicaraguan culture and history and improving their skills as citizens of the future. 

Increased funding from CIDA has allowed us to expand this program to the rural communities surrounding Estelí and reach an additional 2,500 kids putting the total number of beneficiaries at 5,000. 

Update from the field: June 2009

This project is progressing very well and has exceeded its target number of beneficiaries. There have been 3 public art exhibits, over 600 dance classes, 400 circus arts classes, 300 music classes that have reached a total of over 2,500 kids in Estelí. The campaigns to educate children about violence prevention, children’s rights and avoidance ofHIV/AIDS have reached over 10,000 children in the region.

Teachers and Parents report that their children are improving their self esteem, learning about Nicaraguan culture and history and improving their skills as citizens of the future.

Increased funding from CIDA has allowed us to expand this program to the rural communities surrounding Estelí and reach an additional 2,500 kids putting the total number of beneficiaries at 5,000