When Global Fund for Children’s partner, Art of a Child, invited me and my colleague Esther to see their work in action, I jumped at the chance.
Working for Global Fund for Children means I get to hear about incredible work happening around the world to build a better future for children and young people. But actually seeing that work in person reminded me of all the reasons I wanted to work here in the first place and what makes this global community of changemakers so special.
It’s early afternoon, and Esther and I are on our way to a nearby village in Entebbe, Uganda. Our mode of transport? Art of a Child’s mobile learning bus: a converted van that doubles as a library and art studio.
We’re here because Art of a Child doesn’t just wait for children to come to them. They go out into communities and meet children where they are.
Art of a Child is a Ugandan organization that uses creativity, art, and play to help children learn, express themselves, and build confidence. Their approach goes beyond traditional education, recognizing that creativity can be a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, emotional resilience, and leadership skills.
For children who have experienced trauma or limited opportunities, expressive arts can also provide a safe space to explore their emotions, discover their abilities, and find their voice.
As we drive into the village, children spot the brightly colored bus and come running, eager to be the first inside and find their favorite book.
And the excitement keeps coming.
When Ssaava, Lead Mentor at Art of a Child, gathers the children under the shade of a tree to read Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile, I have never seen a more captivated audience.
The children are entirely entranced, not just by the story, but the way Ssaava brings it to life, putting on voices for each character and asking questions that spark their curiosity.
What Ssaava is doing is subtle but powerful. While the children are having fun and enjoying their story, he’s nurturing a love of reading and learning that will stay with them for life.
“By reading them storybooks, we encourage them to fall in love with stories. We see that after reading them stories, they want to hold the same book and read it. So that love of reading is one that we try to develop in children.”
— Ssaava, Lead Mentor, Art of a Child
Through its community clubs and school activities, Art of a Child helps children develop literacy and leadership skills through storytelling, art, and games.
Ssaava and his fellow mentors visit communities regularly, creating opportunities for children to learn in ways that are engaging, playful, and rooted in their everyday lives.
Giving children the freedom to create
Next, we move on to an art workshop led by Kamara, Visual Artist at Art of a Child. Now it’s the children’s turn to let their imaginations run wild and create their own masterpieces.
After the session, Kamara explains to me how carefully he thinks about creating the right environment for his sessions.
If children are expected to sit still, stay quiet, or follow rigid instructions, they won’t feel free enough to explore their creativity.
His job is to give them the space to experiment, express themselves, and discover what they can do.
For Kamara, these workshops aren’t about producing a perfect piece of art. They’re about creating a space where children can express themselves freely, without fear of judgment.
Watching these children learn, create, and simply be children was joyful, and what stayed with me the most was knowing the difference it makes to children’s lives when they are given the support and opportunity to learn and play.
Art is a way for children to express themselves creatively and unwind. We don't treat it like a class with rules they have to follow. We want children to express themselves however they want, without judgment, and to take ownership of what they create.
— Kamara Collins, Visual Artist, Art of a Child
From creativity to community-led change
What I saw that afternoon was just one part of Art of a Child’s work.
The organization also supports young people to develop their ideas and respond to challenges in their own communities.
One example is Girls for School Pads, a project started in 2018 with support from an Art of a Child mentor.
The young people behind the initiative identified that a lack of access to sanitary pads was contributing to girls leaving school. They responded by establishing a project to produce and distribute reusable sanitary pads.
We started this project to make sure girls have no reason to drop out of school because they lack access to sanitary pads. We've been able to help girls return to school and teach women how to make reusable pads, giving them a skill they can use to earn an income.
— Patience, Art of a Child
The initiative has also helped women learn how to make the pads, providing skills they can use to earn an income and support their families.
It’s another example of what becomes possible when young people have the support, skills, and space to turn their ideas into action.
On this trip, I saw how the dollars that you donate are transformed into joy by Global Fund for Children and our partners like Art of a Child.
I saw it in the children racing toward the mobile learning bus, hanging on every word of a story, and discovering what they can create with their own hands.
These moments might seem small, but they’re the building blocks of a childhood filled with curiosity, confidence, and possibility.
Every child deserves a childhood where there is room to learn, play, imagine, and discover who they can become.
But that takes people like Ssaava, Kamara and Patience who believe in children, and people like you who are willing to invest in their work.
Will you help more children experience the joy of childhood?
A story can spark a love of reading. An art workshop can build confidence. And the opportunity to be heard can help a young person change their community.
Your donation helps Global Fund for Children support local organizations like Art of a Child, creating more opportunities for children to learn, play, and shape their futures.
