Ao Rang Bharain, art exhibition arranged by Pehli Kiran School System
This week saw an art exhibition arranged by the Pehli Kiran School System (PKSS) entitled ‘Ao Rang Bharain’ provided a refreshing change from the usual sights.
In an effort to inject new energy into the PKSS summer schemes — volunteering programmes to mainstream children who would otherwise did not have access to formal schooling — an art project was launched.
Children were able to let their creativity loose and create beautiful handiwork. The gallery was scattered with an array of scarves, murals and tablecloths each splashed playfully with bright colours. The children were also taught how to reuse existing resources, by making hand woven paper baskets. Each item was decorated with cheerful designs, including flowers, handprints, cities and accurately drawn animals. All items displayed much artistic potential. The event was attended by a large number of people including youth representatives like the Green Volunteers, and veterans of the development community invited by Trustees Tahira Abdullah and Mansoor Khan. Volunteer Rabia Pasha was present to help throughout the day.
Innovative, creative and forward thinking — The PKSS uses a community based approach to educate children from slum areas in Islamabad. Taking children who may otherwise turn to begging, stealing or drug trafficking, and teaching them essential literacy skills is commendable work.
From the obvious enthusiasm from volunteers who were present at the gallery, the promising statistics are unsurprising. 80 percent of the parents of the children who attended the PKSS schools noted a positive behavioural change. Having said that, their work is not always easy. Rabia Pasha, one of the organisers, commented, “The difficulty lies in getting children into the programmes. Parents often prefer their children to be on the streets actively making money, rather than being in full-time education”. Regardless of any challenges faced, however, the benefits of having increased numeracy and literature levels are clearly invaluable. The final exhibition was a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the teachers, students and volunteers who helped make the PKSS summer scheme a success.
Zain, a volunteer for this programme, commented, “The fact that these children have chosen to express themselves using such vibrant colours and beautiful imagery reflects their innate optimism. At heart they are still innocent children, despite the hardships many of them have to face as part of their everyday life.”
“All these beautiful items you see here have gone through many hands,” said Madeeha Ansari, a Trust representative who organized the volunteer program. “The exhibition here is truly representative of the PKSS, that operates in the heart of communities.” — Sophia Siddiqui
(The News)
