Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Phil Pittman

Since 2006, a unique initiative between children from Australia and Peru has taken place. The project “Our World through Children’s Eyes,” is a cross-cultural and conservation art project linking children from small villages in Peru with children from outback bush schools in Australia. The program focuses on educating children about the environment through the medium of art. It commenced in 2001 with a traveling exhibition of international children’s artwork at rural schools in Australia and has now developed into a more personalized program with children getting to know stories about the artists and their communities in both countries.

The program was developed to: support and encourage children's understanding of each others cultural and physical environments, through the medium of art; foster future ongoing cultural exchanges between both countries, beyond the completion of the project; educate and encourage children to be actively involved in their community; and foster a sustainable attitude towards our environment.

“Our World through Children’s Eyes,” is a collaboration of Australian not-for-profit organizations and individuals with a desire to implement cross-cultural children’s programs between Australia and Peru. The key members are Circles of Learning, Peru’s Challenge, Kids Earth Fund Australia and the Peruvian (and Latin American) communities in Sydney. 

Their mission is to foster children's life-long learning skills through artistic expression and put a smile on children's faces. 

Our children face many challenges in the future relating to climate change that will need new approaches to find the best solutions.  To support our children’s ability in seeking answers for tomorrow’s challenges, the program believes it is critical during their childhood years to cultivate creative skills and foster their connection with the world.

The Australian Stage of the Program

In October 2007, further enhancing the objectives of the project “two Peruvian biology and communication”, graduates were invited to Australia to participate in a seven week cross-cultural and conservation program. The graduates were chosen from a group of volunteers that participated in the Peruvian stage of the project in Lima and Cusco regions in April and May 2007.

The graduates’ itinerary in Australia included attending the launch of “Our World Through Children’s Eyes” children’s art exhibition, a two week educational program at Taronga Zoo and a three week tour to rural primary schools in NSW. During their visits to the schools the graduates were able to facilitate the teacher’s and children’s understanding of Peruvian conservation issues and lifestyles.

To celebrate the achievement of “Our World through Children’s Eyes,” project an children’s art exhibition was launch at the ABN AMBRO Building Aurora Place Sydney. The launch and exhibition created an opportunity for Australians to gather an understanding about Peruvian through a variety of forms including musicians, dance groups, food and beverages, children’s artwork, their stories and images about their cultural lifestyles on fifteen large banners.

A key consideration in inviting the Peruvians to Australia was to enhance their conservation knowledge, foster a cultural exchange between both countries, and teach them the skills and knowledge to take the concepts of “Our World through Children’s Eyes” back to Peru.

“I was very enthusiastic of sharing time with the Australian kids and learning about their culture, community and customs. The kids were very enthusiastic and receptive to learn about Peru,” said Kelly Palomino Pinto, one of the graduates who attended the program. Other comments from children included: “I feel great when I see other countries paintings and knowing that they enjoyed seeing mine”; “I felt good about communicating with people in Peru using artwork."

Our future Plans in Peru 

In April 2008, the program is returning the Peruvian children’s artworks that have been on display around Australia, as well as presenting a slideshow of the Australian school visits during November 2007. 

The future objectives for “Our World through Children’s Eyes” are to develop it as annual cross-cultural exchange program between both countries. They are planning to return to the schools over the following three to five years to introduce new topics and ideas whilst cementing relationships between Peruvian and Australian children.

Why Art?

In a multi linguistic world, art provides a common language in the global community. The program encourages children to interpret, through their artwork, images that are realistic and have a personal touch. It provides children, regardless of their geographical, social or cultural background, with simple tools to navigate and make sense of their world.

Why Peru?

The project has identified Peru as a region to implement a cross-cultural program because of the importance in addressing conservation issues. In a country with a high percentage of the population living in poverty, conservation issues are not a priority. However, there is a growing awareness amongst young Peruvian students and educators keen to address this issue and spread the conservation message. “Our World through Children’s Eyes” is aligning with these local groups to assist Peruvians implement changes to combat future climate changes. Peruvians take pride in their cultural heritage and that can include conservation issues.

Australia and Peru are ranked in the top twelve countries in the World Conservation Union’s publication 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. The program wants to address this by broadening the message to children and their community (beyond traditional classroom settings).

Our children will become tomorrow’s leaders and exposing them to this project will help build an environmental consciousness. Developing an understanding and increasing our younger generation’s awareness of ecological processes and natural systems will enhance the whole community’s quality of life, now and in the future.

For further information about how you can get involved please contact Phil Pittman at philpittman@optusnet.com.au or 8997-4534 in Lima.