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When art reflects life, and more... |
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 Miracles happen when art depicts feelings, fears and dreams, especially in kids for whom art is the sole means of expression. For 3,000 children in Quito who received TIP awareness training and participated in an art contest with USAID/Embassy support, art helped them make sense of the harsh reality surrounding them.
With USAID support, NGO Friends for Life conducted the training about the dangers of human trafficking that culminated in an art contest for students. Friends for Life targeted students, ages 5-12, in six South Quito schools for TIP training because they are at a high risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. In addition to living below the poverty line, many of the children live with friends or extended family because their parents have emigrated. In the area, six men were arrested in November 2005 for prostituting minors.
Students were invited to draw pictures either depicting trafficking or a perfect world without trafficking. Six children with the best drawings were awarded bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards. T-shirts with an anti-TIP message were distributed to finalists. U.S. Ambassador Linda Jewell presented bikes to the first place winners and plaques to each director of the participating 6 schools.
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