Empowering youth through painting

Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga, a public-art social enterprise, and Sadolin Paints Rwanda Ltd, on Saturday participated in a joint innovative community-based painting which targeted the youth. Conducted in Kimisagara, Kigali, during Umuganda (community work) on Saturday, the activity seeks to educate youth to communicate through art. During the event, artists and youth were involved in painting of street homes with messages such as awareness on heroism, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Judith Kaine, the director of “Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga” initiative, said such paintings are not only for fun, but for passing on a message effectively to the community. A visual artist painting the wall in Kimisagara. She said, “Street painting is one of the key ways through which one can send a message to a large audience. We, therefore, need the young generation to join us as we inspire society through this kind of art.” Isaac Umuhire, a visual artist, said working with the young generation is an opportunity for them to learn how they can even do it as a business. “The main purpose is not only to communicate to the community. If many of them can’t afford to go to galleries, they can do their original works in the community. We also encourage the young generation to engage in arts as a source of employment instead of being job seekers,” he said. A visual artist paints the wall in Kimisagara. (Photos by Eddie Nsabimana) Jacques Tuyishime, one of the youth who attended the initiative in Kimisagara, said he would be able to make a positive impact on the community using street painting. “I look forward to being part of this initiative once I complete the training. I was happy to meet the street artists and I hope to learn a lot from them,” Tuyishime said. Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga arts initiative started in 2013. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Empowering youth through painting