Have you ever wondered how art could save lives? In today’s chaotic world, how can paper, colored pencils, and tiny hands save millions and spread hope?
The question perhaps has something do to with how artworks can save you from impending disasters. At a time when various upheavals are being experienced, the tragedies brought by turbulent weather seem just normal. We are bombarded with images of desperate families begging for help on the streets, children crying for food, and thousands of casualties, and it would be deemed impractical not to even be bothered by any single detail from the most tragic story. And in times of disasters, we tend to forget that children are the ones who suffer the most.
On a daily basis, children in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in Manila are among the most susceptible to disasters. Not only that, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic suppresses their dreams. Urban poverty exposes them even more to the spectrum of risks and is trapped in a circle of interminable misery. In efforts to break this cycle, Paskulayan, an art workshop aimed at instilling awareness on disaster preparedness among out-of-school children, was launched last December 2021 by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center in partnership with EsKulayan, an alternative school that advocates for children’s rights in Brgy. 105, Tondo and Brgy. Bagumbayan in Taguig, Manila. It is part of CDRC’s mission to bring about the importance of disaster preparedness through various art forms. CDRC sees art as a vehicle to educate children to prevent disaster risks and improve their resilience. As part of the program, six young artists from Tambisan sa Sining were tapped to facilitate the workshop. The artists encourage the children to recount their disaster experiences through pen and paper.
Paskulayan is an Adopt-a-Community Project of CDRC that links kids from poverty-stricken households with talented artists. The workshop served as a unique opportunity for young minds to share their ideas and opinions about the crisis we are facing today such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also learn the necessary skills for disaster preparedness through different interactive activities. More than just an art workshop, Paskulayan aims to provide a colorful Christmas full of hope in the midst of crisis.