Dubai, UAE, June, 2009: this July START the popular non-profit, art programme is giving Palestinian and Iraqi refugees a summer art school to paint their dreams. START has a team of international artists working with SOS orphanages and the refugee camps of Baqa’a, Jabal el-Hussein and Jerash just outside of Amman Jordan. In an effort to give the children a happy and memorable summer, START has invited artists, designers and photographers from across the Emirates and the world to join their non-profit programme in delivering painting, drawing and photography workshops for three weeks. START summer art school is inspired by the UN principle that every child has a human right to express themselves and access the arts. For those families living in the poorest of social conditions this human right often goes un-provided.

“START works regularly in Jordan to give children art-classes and we decided that the children’s summer should be filled with fun and adventures so we are going to donate a full series of art activities and outings to these precious children.” Said Laila Demashqieh, Jordan Co-ordinator for START.

START has been working for over two years in the Middle East creating cultural activities including taking children from Shatila Refugee camp  to the National Museum Beirut, giving regular art classes to children from the SOS  orphanages in Lebanon and working in Jordan’s National Gallery to teach orphaned children how to draw and collage. It is the programme’s second summer art school for children in need. For July 2009 5 UK artists, 1 Australian and a nurse from Trinidad will be travelling to Jordan to give their free time to reach out to children through art.

“I was delighted to be accepted as a volunteer for START’s summer art activities with the refugee children in Jordan. START has a unique concept to offer humanitarian aid through art classes.  I am an artist and art teacher in the UK and I heard about START’s inspiring work through friends in Dubai. I immediately wanted to give my time and skills to the organisation.” Said Alison Pugh British painter and art teacher.

START continues to struggle to attach a project sponsor to this effort but is hopeful that some gifts of art materials will be possible from people in Dubai who understand the need to help others less fortunate in the region. START is a non-profit programme. Many programmes exist to give families in the region basic items to survive but START looks to what all children crave the most, which is to be happy and free to play and create. Learning new skills through being creative this summer is just the start of what these children need.