Artful Change
Mtree chose art education as the most approachable means of achieving this mission, which has since expanded to the level of community and international development. Since 2011, we have served more than 1,000 children and youth, introducing artful engagements through our education and community development programs.
Brush with Hope
Brush with Hope is our visual arts program with a focus on self-exploration. Art activities, such as drawing, molding, sculpting, and collage, empower children to visually and creatively express their stories. Through collaborative activities, they experience first-hand how creating a culture of mutual respect can grow to become a beautiful and valuable way of life.
Fashion for All
Fashion for All is a program that cultivates an appreciation of beauty and creativity among teenage girls. While they are provided opportunities to experience the full fashion design process, such as sketching, sewing, and beading, teen girls have a safe space to talk about the roles of women, and the meaning of beauty of mind and body in the language of fashion design. The program weaves together all the skills, creative exercises, and self-expression into a final runway show and demonstration projects.
Sing with Hope
Sing for Hope program teaches expression of oneself through musical notes and the creation of musical harmony with others. Participants learn musical skills in individual performance as well as group performance by listening to others carefully to create musical harmony. By expressing their own ideas and dreams in music and singing, participants are expected to build confidence and enjoy the wonder of musical harmony.
Art, Mind, & Body - Reproductive Health Education
Teen pregnancy can put additional pressure on teen girls who already face high unemployment and limited access to healthcare in rural Kenya. Mtree’s flagship site, Maya village, is located in Kilifi county on the East coast of Kenya, which has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. One in five teenage girls have begun childbearing (22%) in Kilifi. Mtree’s Art, Mind & Body is an art-integrated reproductive health education program and deliver the message of healthy choices in life through crafts and theaters.
Global Citizenship Education Program
Our learning-in-living global citizenship program nurtures sensitive, concerned, and responsible youth to be aware of current global issues. The curriculum was developed upon a core value of interconnectedness. By tearing down the mono- or di-perspectives on a specific issue, participating youth from Kenya and other countries, share their ideas and opinions in equal footing for a practical action plan in visual ways .
Beyond Technology
Beyond Technology is the latest Mtree program implemented in Maya village that provides youth in rural communities a space to exercise reasoning and logic through the medium of technology. Participating youth learn how to solve problems with given resources and also experience the latest technology, such as 3D printing and drone mechanism.
Fit-in-Community
Fit-in-Community is Mtree’s long-term sustainable community design project that not only builds houses but also “hope” for rural communities in Kenya. Fit-in-Community team (architects, engineers and planners) collaborates with the community members to design and build houses that are affordable and eco-friendly using building materials that are readily available in the community. We teach local people and constantly donate our professional skills while the community shares with us their culture and local construction techniques.
Our Partnering Community, Maya
The Maya community of Kilifi County is Mtree’s flagship site for our arts programs. Based on the east coast of Kenya, the village has 1,400 residents, whose primary source of income is a fishery. While the community has limited access to electricity, water, and general education, the Maya children crave learning. Mtree has partnered with Maya since 2015 to design an arts-integrated village that celebrates its cultural identity through the power of art and design.
