Music, circus and traditional dance workshops at the M’Lop Tapang Art Center in Sihanoukville for extremely vulnerable children, many of whom live on the streets and are exposed to violence and abuse.
THE PROJECT IN DETAIL
Objectives
To foster independence and trust in disadvantaged children through the arts; to raise the awareness of families and the community regarding the problem of street children.
Beneficiairies
445 young Cambodians between the ages of 10 and 22 living in conditions of extreme vulnerability, many in the streets, exposed to violence, abuse, health issues, drug addiction, social isolation and discrimination.
Activities
Since 2003, M’Lop Tapang has been providing support to the street children living in Sihanoukville, a major tourist attraction on the southern Cambodian coast. From the outset, art and music have been an essential part of the organization’s activities – a way to make contact with street children, build a relationship with them, contribute to and increase their self esteem and trust, and help them overcome the trauma of their past. In January 2016, M’Lop Tapang opened a new arts centre, offering artistic activities free of charge for 400 children living in socially disadvantaged conditions.
The project foresees support to musical workshops where children can learn to sing and play the guitar, the piano or the drums; circus and acrobatic workshops (aerial arts, juggling, clownery, unicycle riding); and dance workshops, including traditional Cambodian dance – contributing to handing down these traditions to the new generations. The complicated movements involved in traditional dance take a long time to master, offering an opportunity to develop life skills such as self-discipline and concentration.
