I’m an Arts Activist. I believe whole-heartedly in the impact and potential of projects which harness the power of The Arts as a vehicle for healing, empowerment, education and transformation - and especially when it comes to community upliftment initiatives and behavioural change projects.
Working with 50 young adults (between the ages of 19 and 29) from the communities of Sasolburg has proved to me (and hopefully to all the skeptics too!) - that creative initiatives can - and do - impact the lives of people in a deep and meaningful way... in a way that inspires change, challenges the status quo and demands a response.
I so wish... I so, so wish... that the Big Wide World out there would have the ears to really listen to the stories on the ground... the stories from the townships... and the eyes to see and acknowledge the struggles, frustrations and dreams of the ‘silent’ and ‘ignored’. There is so much that we could learn from them!
This project has taken us all on a beautiful journey. Not only the participants - but the mentors, and all of us who have had the privilege of sharing in this process.
I am inspired by every single participant who came to the VENT! workshops (some of them walking many kilometres in worn out shoes)... who committed themselves to this process of “venting”... and story-telling... and dreaming of the beautiful possibilities.
What a privilege it has been for me - to see my idea take wings and grow up into something more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.
A huge thank-you to everyone who made this possible!
Love,
Creative Social Entrepreneur & Founder of VENT!
Tearfund “Inspired Individual”
PS: Read Heather’s personal blog here.
