Drawing as a lifeline for vulnerable youth in Mexico
Throughout 2024, the Royal Talens Foundation supported an art program for 158 young people in Cuernavaca, Mexico, run by WereldOuders and their partner organization Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Mexico. For many of these youngsters who have already faced significant difficulties in their young lives, creative expression has become a vital tool for healing and personal growth.
A structured approach to mental health through creativity
The program offered youngsters a choice of activities to participate in four times per week throughout the year: dance, music, theater, drawing, volleyball, soccer, or basketball. Regular weekend excursions complemented these activities, all designed as means of improving youth mental health.
Nineteen youngsters chose to participate in the drawing classes, which focused on encouraging creativity, artistic expression, and personal development. Each student received personalized guidance, allowing them to progress at their own pace and according to their individual abilities. The teaching approach emphasized results as a key motivator, helping participants overcome their personal challenges in an environment where creativity and continuous improvement were actively encouraged.
Exploring artistic techniques
With materials provided by Royal Talens, the youngsters explored various artistic techniques:
- Freehand drawing with pencil to develop precision, stroke, and shading
- Colored pencils focused on creating color compositions and mixing tonalities
- Pastel chalks to experiment with textures and soft gradations
- Watercolor promoting water and pigment control to create unique artistic effects
Through practical exercises and projects, students were challenged to experiment with and master these learned techniques.
Collaborative partnerships
The project involved partnerships with galleries in Mexico City that displayed the youngsters' drawings, as well as collaboration with local high schools that the youth attend, working together to improve art classes at the school level.
WereldOuders and NPH work with families and communities to provide vulnerable children in Latin America with what they need to grow up well. Their holistic approach recognizes creative expression as an essential component of healthy development and emotional wellbeing.
For more information about WereldOuders, visit wereldouders.nl or follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Supported projects
Throughout 2024, the Royal Talens Foundation supported an art program for 158 young people in Cuernavaca, Mexico, run by WereldOuders and their partner organization Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Mexico. For many of these youngsters who have already faced significant difficulties in their young lives, creative expression has become a vital tool for healing and personal growth.
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The Royal Talens Foundation has donated art materials to support a comprehensive two-year community program in Peru. The initiative, run by WereldOuders and their partner organization Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Peru, serves 50 families, including 130 children and 150 young adults living in extremely challenging conditions.
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In March 2025, 72 students from IMC Weekendschool in Amsterdam Noord and Zuidoost embarked on a creative journey exploring the theme “The Future of Amsterdammers.” Over four weeks, these 10- to 11-year-olds immersed themselves in the world of visual arts, guided by four contemporary artists and supported by Royal Talens Foundation materials.
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The Royal Talens Foundation has provided art materials to the Palestine Humanitarian Response Centre (PHRC) for their upcoming Children's Hub in Cairo. This initiative aims to offer creative outlets and trauma relief to Palestinian children who have fled Gaza and currently lack access to formal education.
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