Using the arts to effect change

WITNESS Project is a youth-based outreach programme using the arts to change cultures of violence against women and children

WITNESS Project is an arts-based initiative of the Margaret Clemons Foundation (MCF), a New York City based non-profit

organization with a mission to stop the cycle of violence against women and children, using counsellor and teacher training, education, therapy, and community and youth outreach.

MCF is partnered with Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and the Government of Guyana, to create a template for change to be used throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and the world. It is made up of a dedicated group of adults and youth working to create a template for changing cultures of violence against women and children.

The pilot programme for building this template was in Guyana because of Margaret Clemons’ observation of the epidemic of gender-based violence. Clemons was a US citizen who came here as a private investigator.

MCF has partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Child Protective Services and others, along with organizations like Help & Shelter, working to address gender violence, and children and or families in crisis.

As part of this template for change, Lesley University, in conjunction with MCF and the Guyana Ministry of Education, has launched a unique Master’s Degree programme specifically tailored for individuals working in social services and schools. This programme in ‘Trauma Sensitive Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation’ equips graduates to bring improved counselling and support services to children and families.

WITNESS Project International started working with youth and communities through arts-based programming with the very successful photography portrait project. The organization outfitted Guyanese youth ages 11 to 17 with cameras; they then photographed more than 600 children and adults who supported their project.

Their photographs sent this message to adults: “Stop your violence against our mothers, sisters, aunts, and neighbours. We see you and you must do better.”

Children are the most vulnerable witnesses to violence, and they learn from what they see.

The children’s photographs were printed as huge face and eye posters and pasted all over the capital of Georgetown, generating a lot of press, interest, and dialogue throughout Guyana.

As a result of the success of that arts project, the organization was given a full page each week in a local newspaper for a youth page called “WE SEE” written by the WITNESS Project youth based on their own experiences of how the violence they see affects them. The children also created their own newspaper page marketing campaign that they take directly to the public in shopping and business areas, and in schools, to get the word out.

Using the art form of writing to tell their stories gives the youth another medium to get their message out while gaining a growing sense of self-worth. The project has developed into an after school literacy/journalism programme in various regions.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine program director in Guyana, Rosheni Takechandra pointed out that people are beginning to hear the message and see how their behaviour impacts children and the future of the community. She added that the youth’s involvement has also changed their thinking and actions and they are now frequently asked to speak and attend conferences in diverse communities.

WITNESS Project youths from Georgetown have also created cultural exchanges with Amerindian youths from the remote village of Capoey. The Georgetown children are ardently teaching the Capoey youths how to write for the youth newspaper page.

Takechandra noted that the children’s deeply moving stories have inspired the organization to bring their powerful messages to an even wider audience through film. Under the direction of international filmmakers Morgan Riles and Ginger Theisen, its intensive “summer film workshops” will involve over 20 youths in developing their stories for the film. They will learn how to write and edit scripts, produce, handle a camera, prepare sets, direct, learn about lighting, sound, and act.

The initial goal, noted Takechandra, was to produce 3 short films which would be distributed to a wide audience throughout Guyana and the Caribbean on TV, including the 24-hour Education Channel in Guyana, as well as on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and other media, but due to lack of sponsorship their focus has been reduced to just producing one film.

With more sponsorship the organization would be able to take the films into neighbourhoods to show them in public spaces, on sidewalks, and other venues, as many in Guyana do not have TV/internet. These film screenings will provide information about how and where to get support and help.

Takechandra stated that these investments in the arts are proving to be a powerful way to influence individuals and communities with positive incremental changes in cultural norms.

“We have earned a reputation of a no-nonsense programme that delivers opportunity and growth to the youth of Guyana, creating leaders out of our members and a new mindset where conflict is resolved without violence. To keep the momentum going and to grow we cannot go it alone. We need your help and support. We need you to believe, as we do and have seen that change is possible,” part of the organization’s mission statement outlines.

For more information on the organization’s activities, visit WITNESS Project on Facebook.