Stories from art therapy classes

The StARS Groups and Activities Programme runs art therapy classes that specifically work with unaccompanied children who have recently arrived in Cairo and are often more vulnerable as they are in a new city with no family or friends and often having to navigate the city alone. The art classes aim to reduce some of the stress unaccompanied children and youth are exposed to by providing space for self-expression and helping them to build their self-awareness and self-esteem.

Speaking to the impact of these workshops, a 17-year-old Eritrean child shared with his caseworker:

“Drawing has made me feel more comfortable in expressing my emotions. The workshop helped me to draw what was hidden inside me, things that I could not talk about. For example, on the first day, when I came in the morning, I was very angry because on the way I was attacked, and my phone was stolen. I did not have any money to get a new one. I felt like fighting with anyone who came into my way out of frustration and disappointment. It was not about the phone, but the incident reminded me of the challenges I keep facing in Cairo. However, when I attended the group, I had space to express myself in a different way. Doing art made me forget about the problems I was going through.”