NEPAL
Type of mission
Art therapy exploratory mission, 6-16th Feb, 2020
Where
Kathmandu and Pokhara
Partner organization
Prison Fellowship Nepal
Art therapists
Dr Penelope Orr
Beneficiaries
34 children living in 2 children’s homes in Kathmandu and Pokhara, 40 foster care children in the Pokhara region
Background
An exploratory mission was completed as the first step of an art therapy programme for the children of prisoners in Nepal, assessing 3 possible venues in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara.
A needs assessment was carried out to develop an art therapy programme for the 400 children supported by Prison Fellowship Nepal’s fostering in the community project.
Children who have an incarcerated parent in Nepal often suffer complete rejection by their wider family and community, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, poverty and criminal gangs.
An introductory art therapy programme was provided in 2 children’s homes in Kathmandu and Pokhara, enabling the children to explore therapeutic art.
The children helped to weave their artworks together to give thanks for the social support they received from the group activities and explore their aspirations and hopes for the future.
Two further steps were planned for April and October 2020, but these had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An online mission was not feasible in Nepal due to the lack of information technology and reliable connectivity.
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Type of mission
Humanitarian Mission/Trauma-relief and disaster response work
Step 1: May, 2015
Step 2: October, 2015
Step 3: March 2016
Where
Kathmandu
Partner organization
Audrey Jacobs Foundation
Art therapists
Krystle Teo, Soong Suk Lin, Lily Claire Soh, Sruthi Sriram
Beneficiaries
35 caregivers and 200 children from 5 to 18 years old
Donor
Background
Aimed at offering trauma relief services and training based on assessments made during the visit, this mission reached out to nuns, teachers and children in three earthquake affected areas – viz. Tinchule, Bhaktapur and Pharping.
The interventions were designed to target two specific populations: (1) trainees (nuns and teachers) who could continue to offer emotional containment and support to the children after our Step-1 mission and (2) the children who were affected by the natural disaster.
For the mission we set these as some of our goals
- To assess and determine effective therapeutic interventions for children affected by the recent natural disaster.
- To equip the staff/caregivers/nuns with tools for better communication and containment – this formed the basis of Train the Trainer program which was developed to aid adults, engage the children in a more therapeutic manner, and to allow these purposeful facilitation to continue even after we have left.
- Promote self-care and emotional awareness
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Type of mission
Humanitarian mission, 4- 11 October, 2015
Where
Kathmandu and 3 other villages
Partner organization
Prison Fellowship
Visit to Peace Loving Home (shelter)
Art Therapist
Sruthi Sriram, Chien-Chien
Beneficiaries
30 caregivers, 150 children (6-16 y/o), 100 parents
Donors
Background
Peer to Prison Fellowship Singapore, Peace Loving Home (PLH) is a faith-based, Non-Profit Body working with Prison Fellowship Nepal (PFN), as part of their Victim Support and Rehabilitation Program (VSRP). Founded to support children of prisoners in Nepal, its primary aim is directed towards rescuing children who live with their parents in prison – either due to lack of resources or because they are too young to leave family, given that most of these children have nowhere to go.
Addressing these needs, Peace Loving Home caters to the prisoners’ emotional well-being during their time in prison, by providing shelter, nutrition and education to their children. Furthermore, under the Children of Prisoners’ Protection (CPP) Program of PFN, PLH also extends its care to over 300 children of prisoners from several areas, who stay with their guardians/caregivers.
These were some of the following things that needed to be achieved:
- Gauge the scope of implementing art therapy interventions.
- Determine beneficiaries.
- Assess the needs of the children.
- Assess responsiveness and receptiveness of interventions and training among volunteers in a view to equip the staff with tools for better communication and containment, which formed the basis of the Train the Trainer program.
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Type of mission
July, 2014 (10 working days)
Where
Godavari
Partner organization
Shanti Rani School, Godavari, Nepal
Art Therapists
Amy Toh, Disha Dutt, Krystle Teo
Beneficiaries
150 students (Shanti Rani students)
8 teachers
3 sisters of St Joseph of Cluny
Donor
Background
During this mission, children were able to explore art materials that they hadn’t explored earlier.
They appeared to develop more confidence when sharing towards the end of the sessions. It seemed to help them get a longer attention span and help them focus during certain tasks.
They were more expressive towards the later sessions and began displaying a positive and hopeful view of their future.
We were able to provide art therapy to the whole school in a consistent and organised manner.
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Our work here
Number of missions: 4
Global impact in Nepal: 574 children, 100 parents, 65 caregivers 8 teachers, 3 sisters
Partners:
Programmes: 3-Step humanitarian mission, Trauma-Relief, Art therapy exploratory mission