Leo Jacqueline. Founder of the Global Arts Outreach project.

I am an artist and educator originally from the UK. I started Global Arts Outreach Project in 2015.  I have voluntarily worked with children and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds and communities throughout South East Asia over the past five years. I believe that we can harness the power of art as a platform for building confidence and broadening perspectives; that by promoting positive expressive environments with empathy and creativity, we can make new discoveries about ourselves, and others, that possibilities can open up, having a far reaching impact within community and society as a whole.

In terms of my background, I have BA Hons Degree in Steiner Waldorf Education from the University of Plymouth, a BA Hons Degree in Fine Art from Central St Martins School of Art and a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Falmouth. I also have a TEFL/TESOL qualification from Boston Language College, Cape Town , South Africa and I am a CPD/CEU accredited Therapeutic Art Life Coach. I have previously worked in, and have experience with the Early Years International Montessori system, Steiner waldorf System, alongside mainstream educational systems, in keeping with my interest in a variety of educational approaches.

‘We want to use art as a way to offer a sense of empowerment and renewal to young individuals of all cultural and religious backgrounds, in their communities. To be able to creatively reach out to one another.

The sharing of culture and art is a powerful vehicle for us to connect to our own innate strength, collectively and as individuals; we can empower community together, enriching one another by sharing, learning and growing together as part of a global classroom.’

Laura Mealiffe. Active Volunteer and Researcher.

Laura Mealiffe is an early years teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Family Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She has a background in Drama and Early Years Education. She was a Student Researcher working in collaboration with Places and Spaces of Childhood in Ireland Project at the National University of Ireland in 2012. She was a volunteer for Killucan Child Care LTD and since living in Hong Kong she has participated in professional courses in Montessori. She has been a Lead Teacher and a Child Protection Officer. She also teaches drama and science and has a TEFL qualification.

Leo and Laura, met in Hong Kong when they both arrived as teachers with a shared passion for arts, education and lifelong learning.

‘When Leo told me about the project, I was very interested as I have always been involved with and loved, the arts. Because drama had always given me a sense of personal empowerment and had been my outlet for so many years, I could connect to the vision of Global Arts Outreach Project. It has also given me the motivation and courage to pursue my own creative projects. I feel lucky to take part in witnessing the enjoyment and sense of connection that young people make through their engagement with art.’

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in the Global Arts Outreach project, don’t hesitate to contact us at globalartsoutreach@gmail.com