![Ilena Saturay](http://www.rootzandyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ilena-web.png)
When I came to the Netherlands as a daughter of a refugee, I felt like I was robbed of life and my understanding of life. All I had was memories and experiences that seemed but pieces to some puzzle I couldn't solve. I was confused and lost. It was this time that my siblings and I started to do art workshops with Martin Travers. I consider these workshops as one of the biggest things that shaped my life. We were not only taught how to blend colors and draw lines and circles, but we were introduced to different worlds. We learned about great artists we never heard of - from the Los Tres Grandes Mexican muralists, African-American artists to present-day graffiti artists. We learned by doing as we paint banners for different events. We were not taught in a classroom, but in different places, interacting with different artists from all over the world. We painted with them and it was not only skills that they shared with us, but stories of history, culture and struggles from where they came from. This helped me to place my life in a bigger picture. I started understanding that what I had been through in the Philippines was not only happening there, but all over the world. The puzzle that I was trying to solve was a piece of a bigger puzzle. It empowered me not just because I finally understood who I was, but also because I understood that I am capable of creating something that can contribute to change. During the workshops, I learned that painting was not about blending colors and drawing lines at all, but about why and what for these colors and lines are blended and drawn. Art, as I've learned from the workshops, is not just something external to decorate our lives. It is part of our life - it is where our daily struggles are reflected and told and it is an instrument with which we can wage our struggles. And it became a part of my life, an everyday reminder that I have a role to play in the world.
Ilena Saturay
Workshop Participant![Marikit Saturay](http://www.rootzandyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/marikits-web.png)
I attended Martins art empowerment workshops several years ago. I remember that he taught us how to use different techniques with different art materials. Aside from that, he taught us that art can be used not only as a tool for expressing individual thoughts or emotions, most importantly, it can be a tool for building a stronger community, empowering people and dealing with problems in the society and beyond. It really inspired me especially when he showed us documentaries and movies about the role of art in progressive movements followed by discussions. As young refugees from the Philippines, he helped us in expressing the issues that we were going through, with painting. He also introduced us to hiphop and where it came from. That really took my attention and 8 years later, you can find me rapping on stage about things we discussed with Martin way back. He played a big part in my own development for real. Acutally, he still does. I seldom see him but when I do, I still learn new things.
Marikit Saturay
Workshop Participant![Blackstar](http://www.rootzandyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/blackstar-web.png)
It’s been ages man! How you holding up anyway? Hope things are fine with you...
This was just to thank you for being a tremendous inspiration and a motivator in my life. I am doing so well in Dublin, my poetry talent has enhanced big time. I now have a drama dance group which I started on my own.
The group is called the children of Soweto. we sing south African traditional pulsating songs, recite poetry and dance. Irish people love us so much because we are different and entertaining them with the unusual entertainment that’s totally absent in their society and also we are getting so many gigs. we have performed for the Irish president several times now, on big events and occasions.
This is a gratification to you man because your the trigger for the purpose of The children of Soweto dance drama group..
Thanks Blackstar
Blackstar
Workshop Participant