The Caretaker Project

The Caretaker Project was a 2-year Erasmus+ funded project (2020-2022) involving 70 students between the ages of 12 and 18 years old from 4 schools across Europe; Spain, Ireland, Turkey and Germany. Together they took part in creative tasks and challenges based on four hot topics; Our Future, Personal Development, Mental Health and Sexual Awareness. They used music, singing, art, creative writing, performance, digital media, “out-of-the-box thinking” as creative expression to explore each topic. The project also involved the students being there for each other, sharing experiences, opinions and learning from one another. The initial plan for the project was that the students would travel to each others countries, be immersed in each others cultures and take part in creative workshops and discussions . However then the pandemic hit. So instead, online live streams were organised for the students to meet and support each other during the pandemic, discuss topics and their creative tasks. A YouTube channel was set up to document their process, thoughts and experiences throughout the duration of the project.

At the end of the project the students were finally given the much needed opportunity to travel to Ireland to meet in person. They spent 3 days at the Cavan Center in Ballyjamesduff taking part in various activities, had their first in-person "Live-Stream" about Sexual Awareness and prepared their art pieces for their exhibition. During these days, the teachers were also given the opportunity to create art pieces together which reflected their personal and professional experiences during the pandemic. The exhibition was held at the Irish participating school, Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown just outside Dublin. The exhibition, open to the public, exhibited the students (and teachers) audio and visual work created throughout the two  years. Live music was performed by the students and our special guests were Ireland's Irish Dance competition 2nd place winners! This project was conceptualised by Khudéla, organised and led by Nadine and Ken.