Article 31 of the CRC ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’. Art is a powerful educational tool which can help children express their feelings and concerns about issues of importance to them.

Child labour affects the lives of many children in Senegal. 13 year old Mohammed supplements his family’s income by collecting scrap metal and selling it. ‘My friends and I enjoyed participating in Art Works for Change’s AWARE/OWARE art activities. It was the first time I created a painting on a calabash. In Senegal, the calabash is usually used for carrying food and water – using the calabash for art was a new and interesting idea for us. By taking part in the activities, I learnt about human rights and found out that even I have the right to leisure, play and culture.’

At the end of the AWARE/OWARE activities, the children expressed their wish to be involved in more creative activities in the future.