MCE Art Camp

by Seth Luchemos – IA Kenya Director

The August Art Camp at MCE kicked off on such a great note! With our theme “Made for More,” we reminded our students that they are created with purpose and for purpose. From our devotion on “Made with Purpose” to hands-on sessions in ukulele, keyboard, guitar, dance, photography & videography, art & craft, fashion & design, hairdressing—and our newest addition, DJing, the energy has been amazing! So much creativity, passion, and potential in one space. This is just the beginning!

Stories of Growth

One of the most beautiful things about the MCE Art Camp is that the impact cannot always be measured by what happens in one camp. Over the years, we have watched children return to the different art camps, sometimes trying out different disciplines before eventually discovering the area that speaks most to them.

This growth has been particularly visible in Fashion, where some children have consistently chosen this discipline over several camps. What may have started as simply making something during a holiday has gradually developed into a genuine passion. Today, some of these children are already talking about becoming designers and pursuing Fashion in college.

The same can be seen across the other disciplines. Children who once needed significant guidance are becoming more independent. Those who were hesitant to perform are becoming more confident. Those who were simply learning to use a camera are now participating in storytelling, directing, acting, filming, and editing.

The children are also learning that creativity requires patience. A project does not always have to be completed in one day or even one camp. The short film being developed in Photography & Videography is an example of this. The children have started the process and will continue developing it in the next camp.

These moments remind us that growth is a journey. Every camp becomes another chapter in the children’s creative journey, giving them new skills, new experiences, and new opportunities to discover what they are capable of.

John’s Story (Photos above)

During one of the morning devotions, we explored the topic “More Than a Gift” under our annual theme, “I Am Made for More.” The session focused on the importance of using our gifts to serve others, drawing from 1 Peter 4:10. During the reflection, the children were asked: “How can your gift make someone else’s life better?”

One of the responses that stood out came from John, a Photography & Videography student. He shared:

“I aspire to work with children in the future to help them discover their talents. It’s a good opportunity that we get to work with mentors every holiday to develop our talents, which is something not every child experiences out there. So I aspire to work with children in the future to help them. Not just as a Photography student, but broadly.”

John’s response beautifully captured the heart of the camp. His reflection showed that he is beginning to look beyond developing his own talents and is thinking about how he can use his gifts and experiences to create opportunities for others.

Listen to the Music Class Original Song “I AM MORE!”