It all began in 2009. Based in Lamu, Kenya as an Art of Living Part 1 and Art Excel teacher, Monika Fauth organized the Art of Living Stand Up and Take Action supporting the Millennium Development Goals. Inspired by the results Monika, together with the International Association of Human Values (IAHV) and The Art of Living Foundation, founded “Hands Up 4 Kids”.
Hands Up 4 Kids empowers the children of Kenya, providing the tools for managing mind and emotions, alleviating poverty and building a healthy, sustainable environment.
Projects
One of the many projects The Art of Living Foundation, IAHV and Hands Up 4 Kids are involved in, is with the Nairobi Children’s Garden Home & School. This is a children’s home for abused, mistreated, exploited, exposed to child labour, abandoned children and orphans. The home is in the Kawangare slum, Nairobi and houses more then 200 children. The home also provides free schooling and reaches out to more than 350 children from the slum.
From September to November 2010 Art of Living Netherlands, with Hands Up 4 Kids started teaching special stress, trauma releasing and youth empowerment programs using breathing and yoga techniques, as taught in the Art of Living courses for the staff and children.
- The director of the home and complete staff compliment completed the Art of Living Part 1 Course
- 120 Children completed the Breath Water Sound Course
- After regular sessions of techniques of the Breath Water Sound Course, the Art Excel courses and YES Courses were held for the children and teenagers
As a result of the ART Excel and YES! courses, a three month program has been scheduled at the school including morning sessions incorporating Yoga, breathing techniques, meditation and singing. Through these projects these children are able to deal with trauma, manage their negative emotions, advance their education, successfully complete school and lead a more meaningful happier life.
