Talking Through Art

This is a story about compassion, humanity and love! A story that proves that when an individual or an organization knows WHY they do what they do, the product, or what they do, is simply a result, the outcome of the why.

And my WHY to write this story is that I believe in it making a difference, if told, read and followed by others. I am not talking about big-scale, large-budget projects. Even a single act of compassion could make a difference in other people’s lives, when done from the heart. This is what makes Petr Kočnar wake up every morning in the last 4 years and what brought light, confidence and hope in the lives of now over 50 women – once jobless due to their disabilities. His NGO in Rwanda Talking Through Art is a great example.

Born and raised in the Czech Republic, then graduated from college and an owner of a small business in London, Petr set off onto what some people call life-changing journey that first led him to Kenya and then Rwanda, where he lives since 2014.

While settling in Kigali, Petr kept noticing people with physical impairment inhabiting the area he lived in. They couldn’t get a job due to their condition so they spent a lot of time on the streets searching for small jobs to earn enough for feeding their children, hanging out with others who shared the same destiny, or just killing time. Besides being discouraged and hopeless, they were also extremely bored – hardly anything new and interesting happened in their everyday, nor did they have the energy to change this.

Petr had an idea. His art background and previous work experience with disabled people encouraged him to give it a try. One day he brought a big canvas along with paints and brushes to the street, and asked around if anyone wants to join him painting. It all looked very awkward. Nobody has done anything like this before. The women were too shy and surprised. After a while, a couple of them stepped forward. Then a few others joined. That was the first time they painted in their lives.

The next day Petr was there again. More women joined. Every day, Petr named a topic or just asked them to paint whatever they wanted to, depending on how they felt. Not before long, the women would come and wait for their daily “art class”. They would meet there, paint, talk, share, belong… This is how the name “Talking Through Art” (TTA) was born.

That art therapy is used to heal mental and psychological problems is a well-known fact. Yet, it is difficult to believe that it would have such an immediate effect even for people in a desperate situation these women were in.

Seeing the growing number of paintings and smiles on the women’s faces, Petr took his initial idea further – he decided to open a small gallery and sell these paintings to people (mostly foreigners) who were willing to support his cause and hopefully bring some regular earnings to the women.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Petr hadn’t taken into account the several art galleries that opened in Kigali during the past few years which also targeted expats. It was not easy to compete on a relatively small market with a limited audience and a good number of competitors.

Petr didn’t give up. He went on to explore another opportunity to help the women step on their feet and lead a more fulfilling and secure life. Unfortunately, hand-made jewelries didn’t work out neither due to similar reasons.

This didn’t turn down Petr, again. Not before long, he found someone who could teach the women weave traditional Rwandan baskets, bowls and plates using sisal and colored threads.

Weaving bowls is a very hard work, even more for someone with physical impairment. It requires a lot of patience, focus and sharp vision. A few months after my family moved to Rwanda, I took our daughters to the TTA workshop. Back then, I knew very little about the project so I was curious to meet the women and learn more about the project. Besides, I wanted Kristiana and Mirella to make this experience – see how these women live and earn (just enough) money to make the day. Petr had just started playing with the idea of organizing weaving classes for visitors taught by the few members working at the TTA at that time. So we ended up sitting alongside several women who patiently showed us the secrets of sisal weaving. We struggled for about two of hours and only got a tiny piece of a bowl done when the kids lost patience. I think we all got a very clear idea about how much hand-work go into just one bowl. Sometimes I wonder if price negotiating tourists actually understand the amount of work behind the sheer beauty of these souvenirs.

Starting off with just a few women in 2014, then officially founded in February 2015, TTA has now over 50 members. Besides running the art workshop and vocational training in Rwandan basket weaving, TTA also provides English classes for its members. And its support program doesn’t stop here – family planning, dance, yoga and meditation sessions as well as other social and life skills classes have been introduced to help TTA members become strong, independent and confident individuals of the Rwandan society.

TTA’s vision goes beyond what has already been achieved. During the last year, it managed to support several children of its beneficiary families to start school. The number goes up. Petr has set an objective to send over 200 children of parents with disabilities to school by 2020. All of this because he BELIEVES that education is crucial for a better future not only to the children but also to their families and society.

My second visit to TTA was a month or so ago to its new location in Kigali. Touched by its story, I wanted more people to become aware of TTA mission, its team and wonderful products. Petr readily welcomed my idea of making a nice collection of product photos and sharing the TTA story on my blog.

Thank you, Petr and TTA team, for your warm hospitality, the time you shared with me, and allowing me to come closer to the core of TTA! It was an unforgettable experience which I will keep on sharing.

Even if you can’t contribute directly, I hope this story will move you the same way it moved me, and someday you probably also make a difference for someone in need.

If you are interested to learn more about Talking Through Art, visit their Facebook page or Internet website.