Painting for Healing: Post-War Recovery for Tigray

My name is Anna Amft, and I had the privilege of working in Ethiopia for over two years—a time during which the country became my second home. During my work, I visited the Tigray region several times shortly after the devastating civil war. These visits deeply affected me, as I heard countless harrowing stories from colleagues and friends.

The Tigray region in Ethiopia is currently facing a critical crisis: 81% of its young population is unemployed. However, this is not just about unemployment—many of these individuals have endured unimaginable trauma. Among them are returnees from the recent conflict, many of whom are wounded, disabled, or displaced; 2.1 million people have been forced to leave their villages. Even now, after the conflict, the situation remains fragile and highly dynamic.

During my time in Tigray, I discovered a small, beautiful gallery called “Esseni Art Gallery” in Mekelle, near the Axum Hotel, where I met two remarkable artists: Nebeyou and Rigbe. Even after returning to Germany, we stayed in close contact. Their stories, the resilience of the people in Tigray, and my deep connection to the region inspired me to discuss and launch the "Painting for Healing and Empowerment" initiative with Nebeyou and Rigbe.

This initiative, driven by the newly founded and visionary AHEAD Institute—a non-profit organization I established—serves two key purposes: to support individuals in Tigray who have experienced severe trauma during the civil war and to raise awareness of the critical importance of beekeeping. Beekeeping is not only vital for environmental sustainability but also plays a key role in strengthening community resilience and offering economic opportunities.

The "Painting for Healing and Empowerment" initiative includes a one- to two-week painting course in Mekelle, where participants will engage in art therapy, using painting as a means of emotional expression and healing. The course focuses on the theme of beekeeping, encouraging participants to create artworks that reflect this essential practice. By combining art therapy with beekeeping, the initiative not only supports individual healing but also aligns with the broader "Beekeeper Entrepreneurs of Tigray (BET)" project. This project aims to train unemployed youth in beekeeping practices and empower them to establish their own beekeeping businesses. This will enable them to generate income for themselves while creating sustainable opportunities to restore and rehabilitate the natural environment in Tigray.

The artworks created during the course will be exhibited and sold, with the proceeds benefiting both the artists and the community-focused initiatives of the BET project. This dual approach leverages the power of art for personal recovery while also promoting beekeeping as a sustainable practice that contributes to the long-term well-being of the community.

This cause is deeply personal to me. I have seen firsthand how dire the situation in Tigray is and how the people there, including my friends and colleagues, have endured unimaginable suffering. Their stories shocked me, moved me to tears, and inspired me to take action. We cannot choose where we are born. I was fortunate to grow up in a safe environment in Germany, with plenty of food and far from the horrors of war. With this initiative, I want to give back and help those who desperately need it and who face daily challenges and traumatic experiences. One person alone cannot bring about change, but together, we can achieve something greater. United, we are strong. That’s why I’m asking for your help and support. Together, we can make a difference and create a better world.

The donations will be directed to the Esseni Art Gallery to prepare and conduct the workshop. These funds will be used to purchase materials necessary for painting, such as canvases, easels, paints, brushes, etc., as well as to rent the workshop space. Professional therapists will be organized, and the artists/course leaders will receive compensation for their efforts. Additionally, transportation costs will be covered, enabling the paintings and artists to travel to Addis Ababa, where the artworks can be sold, raising awareness about the project, beekeeping, and the ongoing challenges in Tigray.