Qena Children take part in global art project: UNICEF -supported school participates with drawings and poems

Photographer Stephanie says children were incredibly enthusiastic and curious

Cairo, 12 March 2006: Children from a UNICEF-supported Community school in Upper Egypt are among those contributing to an innovative project involving children’s art and poetry from 191 countries.

Two photographers working on the project -- entitled Art in All of Us -- visited the Al-Tafawuk community school in Farshout district of Qena governorate last week.

“Our goal is to bring some of the hope and acceptance we find in children all over the world, and take it to people who don’t have the opportunity to travel,” said photographer Anthony Asael, who with colleague Stephanie Rabemiafara is leading the project. The book aims to present each of the 191-UN listed countries through a unique photographic portrait, together with art and poetry by local children.

After their visit to Farshout Ms Rabemiafara said the school children had been “incredibly participative, enthusiastic and curious.” The children had prepared dozens of pictures expressing their views on their right to education, recreation, clean environment and freedom of thinking.

Rehab: we want to show the world that village children have talents too

“The visit turned into an art exhibition that attracted many children from neighboring community schools,” said Amira Fouad UNICEF Assistant Education Officer. “In fact, the art project fits well into what [they] practice at community schools in terms of freedom of expression”.

“We would like the world to know that village children have talents too,” said Rehab, one of the young artists presenting her drawings.

Prior to their visit to Egypt, the photographers have gathered poetry and captured children photographs at schools in 75 countries, attempting to show the cultural similarities and differences.

When asked his opinion on the Art in all of Us project, Abdel Sattar, one of the young artists, said the project “introduces us to the world and introduces the world to us”.

UNICEF supports more than 200 community schools in Qena, Assiut and Sohag governorates.

For Further Information about the project please check http://www.artinallofus.org/project.htm

Or Contact Simon Ingram, Communication Officer - singram@unicef.org
+(202) 5265083 through 9