The children of Buner beautifully spoke their mind through art works by encompassing messages of hope, peace and tolerance
in an art exhibition organised by READ Foundation in collaboration with RAHMA Islamic Relief here on Monday.
The winning art works were put on display in the exhibition that were selected after a series of competitions
held at school level in the Buner district. A total of 18,000 students of 20 private sector schools participated in the art
competition under the aegis of RAHMA’s sponsored project titled ‘Education and psychological support to the conflict-afflicted
children of Buner district.’
The art works of the children mainly revolved around their desire to have a
peaceful and prosperous world where they could exhibit their potentials for the betterment of the humanity at large.
Though the horrific scenes of the tragedy were still haunting their innocent souls, but instead of focusing on the bloody
scenes they tried to paint their hopes and aspirations for a safer future. “We want peace, we want education, we want
progress, we want a dignified Pakistan,” were the dominating perceptions that reflected from their art works.
Saddam Hussain, a grade 4 student, painted his desire of seeing his village a peaceful place by building up a beautiful
home besides a running river amongst the huge mountains with flying birds.
While shedding some thoughts over his
creation he said, “It’s we who are responsible for building a peaceful home by being loving and caring towards
one another.” More than ten thousand students were provided educational, sports supplies and stipends while teachers
of twenty private sector schools were imparted training on pedagogy, education in conflict, concepts on peace, tolerance and
child rights under the project.
Addressing the ceremony Mahmood Ahmed, chief executive officer of READ Foundation,
said in order to provide a better and healthy environment to all the children, especially conflict afflicted children, these
workshops and art and design competitions proved to be one of the most effective tools.
He said on the one hand
it stirred a healthy competition among the students and on the other it gave them a chance to appreciate the talent these
kids are growing up with. Now there is a need to provide an ideal environment to these students so that they can become brighter
stars of the society in the days to come.
RAHMA president Dr. Babar Qazi said that nations learn from the history
and no doubt the IDPs children’s works very well reflect this reality. He said that the bitter realities they underwent
during the conflict not only enabled them to fight odds rather they injected a new hope and new future for them that they
chose through their art works.
Iqbal Khan, lecturer of Shaheen College Buner, lauded the cooperation of READ Foundation
and RAHMA for extending educational support to the conflict afflicted children.He said that the timely support to the school
children and teachers as well would keep on reminding the children of these brotherly and helping organizations in times ahead.
Later, the CEO READ and director RAHMA gave away prizes to the winning students.
