Expressive Empowerment: Igniting creativity in Kyangwali

This ongoing project at Cobuwras Secondary School in the Kyangwali refugee settlement harnesses the transformative power of expressive arts to help students navigate both personal and societal challenges. By engaging in poetry, narrative storytelling, scriptwriting, mural painting, and theatre, students embark on a creative journey that allows them to identify, understand, and reshape their experiences, while also addressing the pressing issues within their community.

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Art has a unique ability to bring stories to life, making complex social and topical issues more accessible and memorable. Whether through theatrical performances that explore gender equality, murals that visualize environmental challenges, or spoken-word poetry that gives voice to personal struggles, students not only deepen their understanding of the world around them but also become active agents of change. Studies show that information conveyed through artistic expression is more engaging, easier to retain, and sparks emotional connections, ensuring that lessons learned through creativity resonate deeply and inspire action.

Through this initiative, students don’t just consume knowledge—they create it. By working together to produce collective artistic works, they cultivate empathy, dialogue, and critical thinking, breaking down barriers and fostering a stronger sense of community within the school and beyond. This dynamic program continues to grow, empowering students to use art as a tool for awareness, advocacy, and transformation, proving that storytelling, performance, and visual expression can ignite lasting social change.