Background

In recent years, LifeTime Projects has welcomed many volunteers with artistic projects to Bolivia. They have set up art workshops in the various orphanages and childcare centers which we work with in Cochabamba.

These projects have had an undeniable positive impact on children and adolescents. Very quickly, we realized that art was a very good therapeutic approach. Thanks to artistic workshops (theater, drawing, painting, music…), often followed by an exhibition of the work done, the children managed to overcome the barriers of shyness. The artistic approach has also allowed them to find a new way to express their feelings, their emotions, and to be more easily confronted with others.

The successful results obtained and the enthusiasm of the children convinced LifeTime Projects to propose a new mission: art-therapy in Bolivia.

Presentation of the mission

At the initiative of the Bolivian local teams, LifeTime Projects is now developing art therapy projects in the orphanages and childcare centers which we work with. These projects include arts and crafts, theater and music workshops set up in cooperation with local educators.

Art therapy is a discipline that helps people to express themselves differently through artistic creation. This form of alternative communication enables us to help and accompany people in pain, allowing them to express their emotions in a different way, bringing a form of relief in difficult moments and helping them to rediscover themselves.

Art therapy also promotes social interaction and develops children’s artistic skills and sensitivity, while helping them regain self-confidence. Using art as a way of expression and psychological therapy, these workshops are beneficial for the children and teenagers we support.

Your involvement

During this mission, you will organize and lead artistic workshops for children, based on the material available and the local culture. This way, children will be able to take an active part in the activities, and the workshops will be able to continue even after you leave.

You will be supervised by local trainers, who are specialized in the field of art therapy, and who know the children. By talking with them, you will be able to create and propose your own activities.

In Bolivia, the art therapy project is mainly focused on music, graphic arts and theater. This mission is ideal for people with a certain sensitivity for these artistic activities, both amateur and professional.

As with any assignment in contact with children, it will be necessary to have a prior interview with the association’s referent psychologist.