ABOUT THE PROJECT
Out of KIA was a one-year Solidarity Project delivered in 2025 with women residents at KIA, Aruba’s national prison. The concept of the project was to take creative arts “out of KIA”, while creating a space where women could support one another through shared learning, creativity, and collective skill-building for life after KIA.
The project was developed and delivered by a mixed group of young people, including women residents at KIA and young people from outside who joined the project on a daily basis. This collective approach ensured the project was not created for the women, but shaped with them, from concept to delivery.
Through creative workshops in art, jewellery, and fashion, participants spent the first months learning new techniques, identifying talents, and producing original items. External professionals were invited to support the group and introduce additional skills. A key aim was to recognise existing abilities and transform them into legal, creative, and sustainable opportunities, responding to the reality that many women face limited economic alternatives after release.
FAIS – The brand created
During Out of KIA, participants had the option to create a new brand for the products they developed. The group chose to keep the name FAIS, which was the name developed in a 2 week team ESC activity which preceded and kickstarted Out of KIA. The group got used to the name and the logo which was also created by team members.
Jewellery created by the participants
As part of the project, participants designed and produced handmade jewellery pieces. These products were developed inside KIA with the intention of being shared and sold outside, reflecting both the skills gained and the personal expression of the women involved.
From KIA to the public: Aruba Art Fair
A key moment of the project was presenting the work to the public at the Aruba Art Fair, through a dedicated kiosk offered in partnership with Artisa. Women who had been released during the project joined the stand, selling the jewellery and sharing their personal journeys, helping bridge the gap between KIA and the wider community.
A participant’s voice
As part of the project, participants created a one-minute video explaining what they wanted to achieve: taking products developed inside KIA to the outside world and creating new possibilities for the future. The video was shortlisted in a European Solidarity Corps competition, highlighting the strength of the project and its message.
The booklet
Our colleague Milica created this amazing booklet about the project:
Out of KIA – The Booklet by Tur Cos Ta Posibel
Project co-organised by Tur Cos Ta Posibel and co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme of the European Union – The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.