Welcome to the second week of our video series, Colombian Children of War Speak Out! For the past week, we have been posting videos highlighting the children and youth involved in the programs provided by MADRE's sister organization, Taller de Vida. To find out more about Taller de Vida, click here.
The theater program referenced above, one of the many innovative art programs developed by Taller de Vida, gives youth the opportunity to publicly perform full theater plays. Through the power of theater, participants are provided a safe space as an outlet to express themselves and to escape their daily realities of violence and conflict. The youth involved in the theater projects are also actively learning a professional skill, while gaining new perspectives on life and developing into stronger individuals.
When asked about the role that theater plays in the lives of Colombian youth, one program participant replied:
"Theater, like many things in life, help young people, but it depends on how you use it. [Theater] uses discipline and particularly it helps young people expand their knowledge, their expectations and their perceptions."
The video above, produced in partnership with Youth Radio, takes a look into the transformative effect of theater on the lives of the youth who are involved. Just a sampling of some of their comments on the experience shows this:
"Theater is a language that makes me feel good. I like to take my daily situations on stage."
"It's an activity that has helped me grow."
"It's a way to express yourself in public in front of an audience."
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