Happy Feet Project

Happy Feet Project provides creative arts, physical activities and Life Skills training. Happy Feet Project was initiated in the year 2006. Many of the children housed at St. Catherines feel rejected, unloved, uncared for, unwanted, and unappreciated, and may feel aggressive, lonely, frightened and depressed.

This project helps with healing and confidence building through creative classes in dance, capoeira, judo, yoga, drama, music, painting and drumming. Students are also given individual and group counselling and life skills lessons. The annual Happy Feet Event is conducted in January each year and is a very professional display of their achievements.

Healing through creativity

Children who come to St. Catherine of Siena often carry deep emotional wounds from their past experiences. Many feel rejected, unloved, uncared for, unwanted and unappreciated. These feelings can manifest as aggression, loneliness, fear and depression.

The Happy Feet Project was created to address these emotional needs through creative expression. By engaging children in artistic and physical activities, we help them channel negative emotions into positive, creative energy. This therapeutic approach has proven effective in helping children heal and build confidence.

Creative activities

Children participate in a wide range of creative and physical activities including:

• Dance
• Capoeira
• Judo
• Yoga
• Drama
• Music
• Painting
• Drumming

Students are also given individual and group counselling and life skills lessons alongside these creative activities. The combination of artistic expression and professional counselling creates a holistic healing environment.

Impact and annual event

The impact of the Happy Feet Project has been remarkable. Children who were once withdrawn and aggressive have become confident, expressive and engaged. The creative activities help them develop hobbies and passions alongside their academic studies.

The annual Happy Feet Event is conducted in January each year and is a very professional display of the children's achievements. It showcases the talents they have developed through the year and celebrates their growth and healing.