How MADaboutART is making a difference!

MADaboutART was founded 20 years ago in 2001, in response to the growing number of people affected and dying with AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since then, it’s impacted the lives of thousands of children, through education, opportunity and food security, and provides a safe space for them to learn and grow. Art has always played a central role in our activities; helping children to express their emotions, as well as getting everyone learning and talking about HIV. 

Jola, aged 12, is a keen mathematician and as a MAD ambassador she shares her talent by supporting the children with extra studying. Her dream is to become a lawyer, so she’s always working hard to complete her own work, but still finds time to help others. Jola’s been coming to the MAD centre for the last 5 years and loves to paint with the younger children. Art is the children’s favourite thing to do, she says. Jola also assists Beaty in the kitchen, helping to provide meals to feed over 150 children daily. She’s a shining example of how young MAD ambassadors take on new challenges to support their community and develop life skills along the way that will help them reach their dreams. 

Latoya and Jola at the MAD centre, 2021

Latoya, aged 17, has been helping at the MAD centre for 4 years. As a MAD ambassador, she recognises the positive impact the MAD team has, both on herself and the other children. For children, having a safe space to do homework, express themselves through art and drama and a nutritious meal all contribute to healthy development.

As for the impact on her own life, Latoya says when she started at MAD, she was much less confident, but over the years, she’s found her motivation through helping the children and finding her own passion for art. She’s gained lots of self-confidence running art workshops with Beaty. Now she wants to create more opportunities with art for children at MAD and hopes to have her own art group soon. For Latoya the best part about being at MAD is making a difference in her community - which inspired her dream to become a doctor and she hopes to have her own practice one day. 

MADaboutART has impacted thousands of lives over its 20 year history and remains a vital safe space for fun and learning for the whole community. To help MADaboutART continue to create brighter futures for the next generation, please visit our ‘Support us’ page.