About this project

Un Mundo:

Founded on the principles of promoting dignity, community and self-sufficiency, Un Mundo is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating access to education, health care and livable wages in the Cangrejal Area, a watershed region in Northern Honduras. Guiding our community-driven projects are the following values: involving the community as stakeholders, respect for the traditions and worldview of others, a faith in human potential and the solidarity of many, and the revolutionary belief that through the undeniable force of honest dialogue we can achieve the unity and critical consciousness necessary to effect authentic change

THE ISSUE:

Honduras’ history and culture has mainly been imported, shaped by centuries of foreigners as far back as the Mayans, to the Spaniards and more recently the various multi-national corporations, all of which have largely stripped the country of most of its indigenous identity or pride. The influx of alien culture and the increase in migration patterns between the South and the North are leading to a devaluation of local culture and tradition. With two thirds of the population in Honduras living well beneath the poverty line, poor standards of education and the continued decimation of natural heritage threaten sustainable development.
The loss of culture and a deficit of creative and innovative education are immense hindrances in the promotion of a critical consciousness, which Un Mundo identifies as a crucial component in the development of any human being, community or country. ARTE_RIO has been designed to support the current educational system and cultivate stronger cultural identity and pride in the region, strengthening a connection between the communities and their environment.

THE PROJECT:

ARTE_RIO is a collaborative event orchestrated by Un Mundo staff and volunteers, but made possible by the collective efforts of local and international community organizations, individuals and schools. Facilitated by local and international artists, ARTE_RIO consists of a series of intensive workshops, which will be held over three consecutive weeks. Professional artists will be paired with selected elementary schools located throughout the Cangrejal Valley and will work with the same 25-30 students throughout the entire three weeks. Artists will facilitate a variety of courses, each using a different art form as a means for exploring geography, history, and culture around the globe but more specifically in Honduras and the Cangrejal Valley.
Using a wide range of art forms such as music, visual arts, dance, poetry, sculpture, film, photography and theatre in community-based art workshops, students will explore and learn about local history and cultural identity and discover how art is used around the world to distinguish cultural characteristics as well as to document history. Finally participants, through these discoveries will use one of the above mentioned art forms to document their own stories and histories of their communities.
At the end of the workshops two culminating events will be held on July 9th and 11th. Both events will feature presentations by each participating school, which will educate the larger population of the Cangrejal Valley about the history of their own region and neighbouring communities. In addition to demonstrations from the participating students, other local artists will be invited to perform. Furthermore, this will also be an opportunity for local community members to sell food, drinks, handcrafts and other local goods, supporting and promoting the local economy.

The budget:

The minimum budget for this project is $US 3000. Most of the money we will use to pay accommodation and food for the many artists which will travel on their own expense to Honduras. A simple home stay with a local family including food will cost around 300 dollars per artist for the workshop period of 3 weeks. Other major costs are workshop materials and sound equipment for the 2 final events. If we receive more than 3000 dollars, we will be able to invite more artists, and therefore involve more schools and children.