Street Art for International Migrants Day in The Gambia

In The Gambia, in commemoration of International Migrants Day 2020, six Migrants as Messengers volunteers joined hands with two street artists in a participatory street art activity to raise awareness on migration issues through art and foster cohesion with returnees in two communities of the greater Banjul area. This initiative, which included mural painting, was made possible through the collaboration with the Kanifing Municipal Council and the ward councilors of Bakau and Tallinding. The street art methodology was incorporated into work to redesign the Migration Information Center in Basse, Upper River Region. Youth in the community were invited to take part in participatory mural painting workshops, in which they had the opportunity to express their creativity by selecting and painting patterned designs. Aside from being an avenue to build cohesion and collaboration among youth, the workshops resulted in a vibrant, modern and memorable backdrop for the center – aimed at attracting young people to maximize the space.