I started out with this project not knowing what it had in store for me, not knowing what to expect but adamant on making some semblance of change in this world when I was done. When I was told about the task at hand it felt like it could not have been a better opportunity; we were given a chance to affect and influence change in the place where it mattered the most, a room full of juveniles in an observation centre. The task at first seemed daunting for its dealings with such sensitive relations with kids and how the smallest of interactions can cause so much impact at a young age, and knowing it to be a huge responsibility. Yet when the workshops started, by the end of the very first day, my shoulders were light and I'd let go of all my inhibitions. The effect that I should've had on the kids, was what the kids in fact ended up having on me. One could not have convinced me of their malice if it was not for the building I was standing in. I still can hear them laugh and see their eyes glitter. Art was the purpose I went there with, to teach them art, to empower their creativity, but seeing them made me feel like it was me who needed the lessons. Lessons of creativity and courage. I did not teach them art, I taught technicalities, it was them that taught me the subtleties of my craft that I had somewhere in time slipped out of.

I found them more responsible, more attentive and more hungry for all that these sessions were worth. We did not have to ask them to clean up after themselves a lot, in fact they cleaned up not only after themselves but after their peers too, and without a single word of complaint. It was surprising because I would definitely imagine kids that age to not be that mature. They worked with us hours on end, not ever their mind escaping that room. They greeted us with grace and worked with love. I think it was a thing of beauty for me to have them look forward to seeing us, they used to ask us when we were gonna come next, and I think that was one of the biggest successes for me about the whole thing. Just to see them have them have that want. All said and done I think they ended up teaching me a lot more about life than I could've given them about art or anything within those five workshops, and I'll forever be grateful for it. and I'll look forward to having more such experiences because they've made me feel the most alive.