ART WORKSHOP IN

S. JOSE DULAG / TACLOBAN / LEYTE / VISAYAS / PHILIPPINES

Tacloban, a city located in Leyte, Visayas, REGION VIII, of PHILIPPINES, was hit by Super typhoon YOLANDA in 8 November 2013. With 375 kph of howling winds and strong rains. A Tsunami-like storm smashed on the pacific shores of SAMAR AND LEYTE. Was more brutal than other areas.

The devastation in these island provinces was more jolting and extensive than that of the other Visayan provinces. More than 6.200 People were killed. Over 2.000 others were declared missing. An estimated 1.1 million houses were severely damaged or destroyed. 4 million People were rendered homeless. Around 33 million coconut

trees were broken or uprooted. A total of 30.000 Fishing boats were swept away or wrecked. Some $ 788 million would be needed for shelter and livelihood to rehabilitate and restore the Yolanda-hit areas in SAMAR and LEYTE. ( Estimates are based on official statistics of the UNITED NATIONS

and reported by BUSINESS WORLD. See “THE NATION” BUSINESS WORLD, FEBRUARY 17, 2014. ).

It was in Macau, I meat a young Philippine Artist, Melissa Yeung.

I propose to her to go to Tacloban help the survivor kids with an ART THERAPY PROJECT. Melissa was happy with the Idea, and Propose to Me to go to Manila to Meet her there.

I fly from Macau to Manila on 16 of February. My Colleague gave to Me contacts and offer to Me to stay in her family home in Manila.

( my public thanks to Family YEUNG )

During one month I was contacting with several persons who seems to Me and my friend, can help and support the project.

I had contact with a Philippine government Department DSWD – Development Social Welfare Department; UNICEF, Team in TACLOBAN: among others.

Despite My “ ART THERAPY PROJECT “ received praises and welcomes, from ALL , I didn’t get any Financial sponsor and help to support the expenses …: As Materials for the kids work: accommodation : nourishment : flight to Tacloban ; etc.

Lucky I was, when I consider to come back to Macau and forget the idea, I sold a painting in Manila. Then I get a contact in the last minute from the Kapitana Eng Evangeline, from Barangay S. Jose Dulag offer to Me her family residence to stay and the possibility

to go to Her Barangay and developed an ART WORSHOP for the Kids there. With Money to support the expenses and this kind contact, I flight right away to Tacloban. Eng Evangeline was in the airport to received Me. ( My Public Thanks to Her, without her support it was not possible.).

I arrived a few days before, 5 months after the passage of YOLANDA. I can’t continue without describe my first vision of the airport and all way until S.Jose Dulag. It was a shock. I don’t have words…

The human experience I had with those kids was, amazing and incredible. We can’t imagine how those children answer and worked with happiness and a smile in them faces…Producing great quality and beautiful Art works.

During three weeks, I conducting an ART WORSHOP there in High School of S. Jose Dulag, ( my public Thanks to teacher Mr Go, who received Me in his School giving all Support needed ).

In the beginning was difficult, around 130 kids join the workshop. But, the way those kids behavior it was well done.

As I consider ART THERAPY a serious matter and as I am not a Doctor or even a Therapist, without a Health Team, with the leadership of a Psychologist Doctor, it is quite impossible to do so.

I just did an ART WORSHOP, with all freedom that can give to the participants and Myself. However, my contact with the reality in there, Gave to Me the Impression of still have a long way to walk to solve all psychological Problems of those poor kids, as well, balance them emotions and feelings. Is Truth, ART can HELP.

Help to improve mental and emotional Well-being; express them emotions and feelings in a free way; to gain enough power to became more positive; gain self-confidence; self-aware etc … I believe can really Help them to develop good habits and provide a great sense of accomplishment and will provide Creative and Human skills for an enjoyable and sustainable personal development and growth.

Joaquim Franco Visual ARTIST