The majority of the children who attend the drama and dance programmes that have been offered by HYPAT since November 2008, have had to overcome numerous hurdles which many of us can barely begin to imagine. Needless to say, these children are often emotionally ill equipped to cope with the stresses of their environment.
The arts are unique in that they offer children the opportunity to express themselves in a safe and relaxed environment. And, just as with sport, the arts are also a training ground for mental and physical discipline, self-respect and respect for others. Self-reliance, is perseverance and leadership skills are also developed in the arts. Children learn how to positively handle pressure and that success takes effort.
The capacity for emotional healing through self-expression is not to be under-estimated.
In the Helderberg area there is no shortage of private dance studios, drama schools, music and art teachers, or teaching and coaching at the highest standard. There is also a vast group of children who will most probably never find themselves in a position where their parents or guardians would be able to afford the monthly fees for these programs.
This mean that many of these children are under stimulated. These are the children that the Helderberg Youth Performing Arts Trust (HYPAT) reaches out to.
As everyone knows, youth typically seek acknowledgement from their peers and because of this the perceived ‘glamour’ of brotherhood offered by gangs daily surrounds most the children living in economically disadvantaged areas. Our aim is to distract children with the genuine glamour of the performing arts, before they are sucked into a life of violence when they are too young and impressionable to withstand negative influences.
Sports programmes that nurture talent from economically disadvantaged communities are not uncommon. Often the most sensitive and artistic children are also the least likely to be attracted to competitive sports. And, everybody wants to belong. Belonging to an art class is just as important for some as belonging to a soccer club!