The United Nations has opened an exhibit to benefit victims of human trafficking. The exhibit called "Welcome to Gulu" showcases paintings by former child soldiers and abducted girls from Gulu, Uganda. The organizer of the exhibit is noted painter Ross Bleckner, who became the first artist to be named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Bleckner traveled with the UN to Gulu in Northern Uganda on an official mission.

He assisted in the rehabilitation of former child soldiers and abducted girls through art therapy.

Bleckner conducted a week long workshop for 25 children, many of them orphans. He encouraged them to express themselves and come to terms with their past through art.

Artist Ross Bleckner said, "Kids are the most un-self-conscious and to be able to get them at that point, I think, has the most possibility to actually have a positive effect."

In recent years, Gulu and other areas of Northern Uganda have been plagued by rebel groups abducting, recruiting and conscripting thousands of children. Boys have been forced to be killers and girls to be sexual slaves.

Bleckner says he hopes art can help with the emotional scars created by human trafficking.

Ross Bleckner said, "Many of them do look forward to going back to school and continuing their education and staying in Uganda. And since they've gone through so much they are very concerned about peace."

The proceeds raised by the sale of the 200 children's paintings, as well as portraits taken by Bleckner, will benefit former child soldiers and abducted girls.