Twenty-one persons graduated yesterday from an eight-week Art Therapy Programme designed to help people living with HIV, who are depressed.
Social Worker Nicole Cole, whose brainchild it was, said she had approached the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and while both agencies approved, neither was in a position to provide funding.
Cole then approached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received funding. Through the efforts of the Guyana Red Cross Society, she was also able to find someone from the Burrowes’ School of Art to teach the courses.
Teacher Candace Lych said the courses taught were tie-dye, hand paint, stencil design, batik, discharge and macramé.
One participant of the programme expressed joy at learning the news skills. She revealed that she already works with fabric and would now use her newly-learned skills to enhance her work.
Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said the church was proud of the persons who participated in the programme.
Participants said the art therapy assisted in giving them the hope and confidence they needed, while one of them stated that it was not only for persons who are HIV positive but also family members who are affected by their love ones’ illness.
