Using Art to Engage a Dialogue around the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities

DAKAR (Senegal), March 17th, 2022 -   "In front of me, El Marto is finalising this beautiful piece of art". It is with these words that Maggatte Toure described to us, with a smile on his face, the activities that took place at the medico-educational centre of Asedeme.

After a one-year break due to the pandemic, The Playwall has organised, together with the two artists El Marto from Burkina Faso and Zeus RBS from Senegal a fresco and a workshop at Asedeme centre for the young people living with disabilities.

Magatte is a paint artist and manager of the plastic art and serigraphy workshop of the association Asedeme.

“I have been working with this organization for more than two years now. My work consists of helping children in different forms of art, digital activities as well as in serigraphy. Today, we have welcomed The Playwall, the association that has created a very beautiful fresco on the wall of our centre” Declared Magatte.

The Playwall is an organization that uses committed art to bring a positive change in communities. Created in 2018, The Playwall collaborates with many associations and local graffiti and hip-hop artists, with a goal of enhancing and promoting urban culture in Africa. Furthermore, the mission of The Playwall is to “initiate a dialogue with communities by bringing art closer to those who do not have access to it"; such as children with disabilities for instance. It is in this context that Playwall, has carried out, with the support of UNICEF, a workshop with the association Asedeme for children and young people with disabilities.

Through painting, children have expressed their talents. “I made this drawing, and I am very excited because it is beautiful” affirms Diallo, one of the children who took part of the activities and who was focused for a long time in order to finish his drawing. “I really like these painting moments” affirmed Diallo.

Pleased to not only have participated in the workshop but also for having the opportunity to do some painting, children have expressed their gratitude to Playwall and all the partners who made this workshop possible. Besides, they have acknowledged and appreciated the talents of their colleagues.

“The workshop was amazing. I think everyone here is very talented. Thank you all” concluded Diallo, with a big smile and the attitude of someone who is very satisfied and proud of his work.

“We are delighted with the great initiative that has been taken, and to have associated Aminata Mbaye’s centre with it. This activity has allowed our young people to discover a wonderful experience" announced Mrs. Madeleine Dione, Director of the centre where the workshop was held”.

“This is an occasion for us to thank all those who went above and beyond to have this beautiful fresco on the wall of our centre”. added Mrs. Dione.

“UNICEF welcomes and supports this initiative in order to draw more attention from the public and all stakeholders on this crucial issue of the inclusion of children living with disabilities in society,” said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Senegal.

"For UNICEF, art is a universal language that can easily get the message across. For us, it's not just about painting something and moving on, assuming everyone gets the point. It is above all a question of engaging in dialogue around this question" she continued.

In Senegal, UNICEF is strongly committed to the inclusion of children and young people living with disabilities, both alongside Asedeme and other civil society organizations such as Special Olympics.

In support of the Ministry of National Education, UNICEF also carried out a campaign in 2021 in the Ziguinchor region on the detection and treatment of visual impairments in students and supported, in the Kedougou region, the integration of deaf children into mainstream schools in some communities.

"Like all other children, children living with disabilities have ambitions and dreams for their future. Like all children, they need a quality education to develop their skills and realize their full potential" concluded Ms. Danailov.