Upendo Art Camp

By Seth Oluvuyi Luchemo – Recreation Factory Arts

From February 26th to March 1st, 2025, we conducted an inspiring and impactful Art Camp at Upendo Children’s Home in Kakamega. Our team traveled from Nairobi on February 25th and commenced the camp the following day. The camp aimed to provide students with opportunities to discover and develop their artistic talents while fostering collaboration among them. We concluded the camp on March 1st and traveled back to Nairobi on March 2nd. The Camp had 68 students Participating.

Daily Structure & Activities

Each day of the camp began with a devotional session focused on self-discovery, where students were encouraged to explore their gifts, talents, and passions. The devotionals also emphasized how these skills could be used to create positive change and foster collaboration among artists across different disciplines.

The camp featured various artistic disciplines, including:

1. Art & Craft: Students engaged in collage-making, creating photo frames, drawing, and painting on both canvas and paper.
2. Music: Participants learned to play musical instruments such as the keyboard, guitar, and ukulele. They also collaborated on songwriting and recorded an original song.
3. Dance: Students explored different dance styles, showcasing improved energy, enthusiasm, and well-coordinated choreography.
4. Fashion Design: This session introduced students to sewing machine operations, design concepts, and garment construction. Each student designed and created their own clothing piece with the guidance of their Mentor.
5. Photography & Videography: Students gained hands-on experience in shooting and editing photographs and videos. Each participant took and edited their own pictures.
6. Hairdressing: A newly introduced class that was highly exciting for many. Students learned basic shampooing, styling methods such as curling, straightening, braiding, and basic hair coloring techniques.

Showcase Event

On the final day, we held a special showcase event where students proudly presented their work. The event was a vibrant celebration, with community members joining to witness and appreciate the students’ creativity. From musical performances to art displays and dance presentations, the showcase highlighted the students’ dedication and growth throughout the camp.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, Beyond Our Door Global and Inverted Arts, for their generous support in making this camp a success. Your contributions enabled us to provide the necessary resources and ensure a fulfilling experience for the students.

We look forward to continuing this incredible journey of nurturing young artists and transforming lives through the power of art!