Peacepainting was invited to beautiful Sri Lanka by the Scouts in Brønnøysund, Norway who work closely with Scouts in Sri Lanka.
During this project, we conducted painting workshops in various parts of the country, including Moratuva, Jaffna and Metmehira. Our aim was to lift and give voices to the participants of the different groups.
Jaffna
In Jaffna we had painting workshops in a school for orphaned children after the Sri Lankan Civil War.
We found that these children were incredibly motivated to be able to contribute to a better world
A man had taken care of nearly a hundred children who had lost their parents during the civil war that ended in 2009. He created a school where they could live and learn.
We had painting workshops at this school, and the children created powerful messages.
Moratuva
In Moratuva, south for the capital Colombo, we had painting workshops in a home for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
People with intellectual disabilities is a group that is often overlooked.
We found it very valuable to be able to lift their voices and share their paintings with the world.
The children of Sri Lanka made wonderful paintings with very powerful messages. Many had fresh memories of the war, and their messages are strong reminders to adults and others. We have lifted their voices up through exhibitions:
Brønnøysund Airport, Norway
Royal Ministry of Defense, Norway
Armed Forces Museum, Norway
Town Hall in Naryan-Mar, Russia
Town Hall in Bindal, Norway
High school for Agriculture (Reindeer Husbandry) and Economics, Naryan-Mar, Russia
Secondary school, North Korea
Future exhibitions are planned
It is important for us to point out that Peacepainting takes no side in the Sri Lankan Civil War. We work to promote equality and recognize all Sri Lankan people as Sri Lankans.