Young refugees at Mayo school benefit from healing power of art

The Art Blast Programme has empowered young refugees in Mayo to unleash their creativity.

In a heartwarming collaboration, children newly arrived in Ireland as refugees take centre stage in their school's Arts Blast Programme. Guided by professional artist Bernadette Ruddy, these young talents embarked on a transformative journey of creativity and collaboration at Kinaffe National School in Swinford.

The highlight of the programme was the students' outstanding work in their school's Christmas Show and their plays, entitled 'A Christmas Quarrel' and 'A Snowman at Sunset'.

Resourcefulness was at the forefront as the 53 children repurposed materials, breathing life into their visions. Old cardboard was transformed with paint and re-modelled into a sleigh and fireplace, while plastic barrels were made into an endearing snowman. An old window blind served as the canvas for the backdrop scenes, beautifully painted by the eager hands of these budding artists.

Beyond the children’s enchanting stage designs, this initiative showcased the children’s and school's commitment to sustainability. By reusing materials such as cardboard and plastic, they not only brought their artistic dreams to life but also contributed to the Green Schools mission of reducing, reusing and recycling. This is also central to the school’s biodiversity and sustainability project as the students work towards a Green Flag for their dedication to environmental awareness and care.

The programme fostered a sense of joy and achievement among the students and teachers as they enthusiastically engaged in the creative process. The power of the arts helped them forget about the trauma they had endured. They formed an incredible connection with art teacher Bernadette Ruddy who fostered a safe space for them to work in a quiet, caring and reassuring manner. Their connection with art blossomed, leaving a lasting impact on both children and teachers and the school community. 

The children presented their artwork as part of their Christmas Show/Concert on Thursday, December 21, in The Moy Hotel in Foxford and it was streamed live to their friends and family throughout the world. These wonderful children have been welcomed by the local and wider community and their performance on stage shows what can be experienced, achieved and enjoyed by all. 

The teachers noted that participation in the project played a crucial role in alleviating trauma in the children at school by providing a therapeutic outlet for expression and healing. Art allowed them to express unspoken emotions and build their self-esteem. Teachers also noticed how children relaxed and were very calm and their work provided a temporary escape and promoted relaxation. It also helped cultivate social connections and created a sense of community, shared experience and teamwork. The project helped children’s social interaction, empathy and promoted mutual support among their peers. 

The Arts Blast Programme not only showcased the artistic potential of these young refugees but also highlighted the transformative power of art in fostering creativity, unity, and a sense of belonging in their new home.

The programme aims to give students in schools all over the country the opportunity to work with a professional artist, the teacher and the school and is managed by the local education centre. The Blast programme, operated in Mayo Education and Support Centre, is not confined to the visual arts and enables children all over the country to work with artists on whatever element of the arts interests them most - drama, music, film etc. The project undertaken by Kinaffe NS is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when committed artists, teachers and children are allowed to be creative together.

The teaching staff in Kinaffe NS are a team of very special people helping young children every day to feel loved and supported in their new environment and reach their fullest potential in life. The school team is led by principal Margaret Reilly, vice-principal Eleanor Hyland, Ms Ruane, Ms O’Hara, Ms Corcoron, Amanda Kelly (SNA) and Brian Togher (SNA).