Friends of the AGNS are pleased to open the 2014 Creative Minds series with The Plight of the Child Soldier—Innocence Lost, presented by Linda Marie Coakley, on Sunday January 26 at 2 p.m.
This fall, Coakley worked with elementary students in grades 5 and 6 from Yarmouth Central School, and Barton Consolidated School in Digby County, under the auspices of ArtsSmarts. She helped them to respond dramatically to photographs from the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative at Dalhousie University.
The students chose photographs that held particular interest for them, then discussed and created dialogues around these images. They also reviewed the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and noted the abuses suffered by child soldiers worldwide. They observed on maps how widespread this unimaginable situation is around the world, and the changing face of war, with young boys and girls as unwilling soldiers. It was particularly meaningful for the students as many child soldiers are the same age as the Nova Scotia students.
“I wanted my students to understand that no bedtime stories, after school snacks, trips to the beach, hugs, ice cream treats, and other pleasures were ever to be a part of a child soldier’s childhood,” says Coakley. “The security we expect and are entitled to, are never part of a child soldiers life; and so we began with this acknowledgement.”
During her presentation, Coakley will give an overview of the project, and the profound effect it’s had for all involved. Bonus: the exhibit of selected photographs and the poetry that the children wrote are on display in the Community Room at the AGNS from Jan. 16-Feb. 23.
No registration necessary. Admission by donation.
For more information call 749.2248 or email agnsyarmouth@gov.ns.ca.
