When art becomes special

 














Karachi
Islahuddin Siddiqui was left speechless as he inched from one room to another admiring a series of paintings done by the kids of the Special Children’s Educational Institute (SCEI) here.

The former Pakistan hockey captain, who is also an art lover, later told the parents of several of the SCEI children that he just fell in love with the paintings.

“I came to the art show not for the paintings but for the kids,” he said. “But I was left speechless when I saw the quality of the paintings. They were just brilliant,” added the hockey legend.

Another sporting legend present at the event held in connection with International Day for Persons with Intellectual Challenges (December 3, 2012) was Zaheer Abbas, the former Pakistan cricket captain. He, too, was full of praise. “This art show is a proof of the fact that if given the opportunity, special children can do wonders,” he said.

Wasim Bari, the former Pakistan Test wicketkeeper, echoed Zaheer’s views. “These kids are just out of this world,” he remarked.

Actress Xalay Sarhadi and other celebrities were among the many other admirers present on the occasion along with leading educators at the event that was aimed at creating social change.

It included art exhibits, interactive stalls, Sunflowers Vocational Centre products, and Community Service Awards given to youth.

“Our goal is to create acceptance in society by showcasing the talents and potential of these children over the years and the programmes and facilities that are required by them day to day,” says Saima Haq, the SCIE principal.

Haq conducted a special presentation on the ‘Cuddle Project’ which is an initiative to collaborate with schools to conduct workshops to create understanding of developmental disabilities through live

experiences.

The workshops consist of a series of activities that students do while being fitted with specially designed tools that limit some of their visual, perceptual and fine motor abilities.

Posted in: Karachi News