Art for 3200 schoolgirls in Pakistan

As our adopted government girls’ schools prepare to reopen after summer vacation, Zindagi Trust proudly reflects on another impactful season of our Art Program. This initiative has been crucial in equipping students with a solid foundation to tackle real-world challenges, while expressing themselves creatively. Through art, students have channeled their emotions and explored their creativity, fostering their emotional well-being and personal growth.

The Art Program provides a safe and supportive space where students can delve into their feelings and thoughts using various artistic mediums. This approach not only enhances their self-expression but also helps in developing essential life skills. As we look forward to the new academic year, we celebrate the progress made and remain committed to nurturing the creativity and emotional resilience of our students.

In May, students from SMB had the exciting opportunity to visit the State Bank Museum, where they engaged with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. In celebration of International Museum Day, the students embraced their artistic side, painting and creating as they explored the museum. This experience not only expanded their appreciation of art and history but also offered a unique platform for expressing their creativity in a stimulating environment.

A significant milestone was achieved in the last quarter, underscoring our ongoing commitment to holistic education. Recognizing the profound impact of art on student development, Zindagi Trust introduced the subject to its adopted government schools in 2015, under the guidance of Anam Shakil, Head of Art Program. This comprehensive art program was designed to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills among students.

Building on the success and insights gained from our art program model, we supported the consultative process that led to the integration of art into Pakistan's National Curriculum (2022-2023). This initiative now benefits students nationwide, ensuring a more comprehensive education. Both the national curriculum and our art curriculum are available for download on the Zindagi Trust website. The Zindagi Trust art curriculum aligns with contemporary educational standards and benchmarks, offering students opportunities to explore diverse academic pursuits and activities, thereby enriching their overall learning experience.

During a vibrant six-day summer camp, our students immersed themselves in a range of art activities, showcasing their talents and creativity. The activities included:

• Woolen Birds: Crafting colorful birds using wool.
• Low-Cost Pencil Boxes: Creating pencil boxes from felt sheets.
• Tote Bag Leaf Printing: Experimenting with leaf printing on tote bags.
• Calligraphy: Exploring the art of beautiful handwriting.
• 3D Greeting Cards: Designing creative 3D cards.
• Floral Frames from Butter Paper: Crafting delicate floral frames.
• Wire Jewelry: Delving into the intricate art of jewelry making with wire.
• Mural Painting at SMB Fatima Jinnah School: Painting a vibrant mural outside the Art Room, adding a splash of color and creativity to the school's environment.

Additionally, art therapy sessions were conducted for our Grade 8 students, focusing on the thematic area of "A Safe Space". These sessions emphasized the importance of providing a secure, non-judgmental environment for our students. Through various discussions and activities, the students explored the value of safe spaces and were encouraged to identify and create their own personal safe spaces. This initiative was a fulfilling experience, as it fostered a nurturing environment where the girls felt secure and valued, enabling them to express themselves freely.

Anam Shakil successfully led a collaboration with STEAM Pakistan—an initiative of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training that aims to advance secondary-school aged girls' access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education in Pakistan —to develop art guides (lesson plans) for schools nationwide. She was responsible for conceptualizing, curating and producing instructional videos to support these guides. Additionally, she facilitated an online orientation launch session to introduce the guides to the public.

As we reflect on this quarter's achievements and experiences, we are deeply inspired by the creativity and growth of our students. At Zindagi Trust, we are committed to providing a holistic education and are excited to continue enriching our students' lives through art and other creative endeavors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters and partners whose generosity makes these initiatives possible. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our children.

“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”– Vincent van Gogh

The spirit of spring, often associated with renewal, beauty, and new beginnings, is here! As the season brings its vibrant colors, let's take a look at the wonderful achievements of our students in the realm of art. 

With meticulous planning by our teachers, each grade embarked on a journey of artistic exploration and growth. In Grade 1, students explored hand stamp painting, cat origami, and the colorful world of coloring. Moving up to Grade 2, students explored painting flowers with straws, drawing animals using hand shapes, and coloring exercises. The creativity continued as Grade 3 students embraced the beauty of nature and experimented with nature pallets, crafted animals using recycled toilet paper rolls, and explored the complex topic of split portraits.

As Grade 4 students delved deeper into the world of art, they explored more advanced art techniques. Inspired by the sunflower paintings of Van Gogh, they created their own masterpieces, alongside drawing mugs with intricate patterns and mastering the art of butterfly origami. In Grade 5, the young artists learned more about acrylic bird paintings, positive and negative spaces, and whimsical depictions of funny faces; while our Grade 6 artists explored the realm of abstraction - learning to create backgrounds in still-life compositions, sculpting funky trays with clay, and constructing 3D paper cityscapes.

Moving up the grades, our students tackled more complex techniques and themes. Grade 7 students explored line patterns with clay, drew inspiration from renowned artist Brenda Bogart as they experimented with collage work, and honed their skills in capturing facial features with clay sculptures. 

Grade 8 students explored the vibrant world of graffiti, honed their skills in line pattern sculpture, and delved into the expressive form of diptych art - getting a deeper understanding of different art forms and pushing the boundaries of creativity.

For Grade 9 and 10 students, we kept it simple and creative as they explored the playful world of doodle art and the evocative realm of emotion art. The students also got a chance to infuse their art with personal flair and creativity as they made striking pop art pieces on stools.

However, our commitment to holistic education extends beyond the confines of the classroom. The students participated in the Colgate Global Art Contest, using creativity to promote dental hygiene awareness and healthy oral care habits. The students also engaged in a Happiness Project activity called Inside Happiness, where they explored emotional well-being and self-expression through art.

Additionally, beyond the classrooms, the students showcased their skills in various competitions, including the "Protecting the Freedom of Childhood" art competition by Agha Khan University, where four of our students received positions. Our students also participated in a Japanese Calligraphy workshop, organized by the State Bank of Pakistan. This was followed by a Japanese Indigo Dye workshop, further enriching their cultural experiences and artistic horizons.

Participation in the STEAM Muqablo competition also allowed students to express their creativity in categories like "Build a Bag" and "City Postcard." Our Head of Arts, Anam Shakil, also played a pivotal role in the event by conducting a workshop for teachers and serving as a judge for one of the competitions, embodying the spirit of mentorship and collaboration.

Moreover, students demonstrated their understanding of financial literacy through the "Imagine the World Without Cash" art competition by the State Bank of Pakistan, where three students secured top positions. Additionally, a Grade 7 student won 3rd place in an art competition held at the Tomb of Quaid-e-Azam, earning a cash prize for her depiction of unity in Pakistan.

Looking forward, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the Digital Arts Lab at SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School. This initiative, set to commence in the upcoming academic term, aims to equip our students with essential digital skills, opening doors to a world of professional opportunities in the digital age. 

Furthermore, in alignment with our dedication to holistic education, we have collaboratively finalized the Art Curriculum with the National Curriculum Council. This milestone paves the way for its seamless integration into all government schools throughout Pakistan. Rooted in our vision of fostering creativity and innovation, this curriculum, now published online, stands as a testament to our commitment to shaping the future leaders of tomorrow.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters for their unwavering dedication to the arts and generosity. Your ongoing support fuels our mission and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. We eagerly anticipate sharing more inspiring stories and achievements in the days to come. Wishing you all the joys of the season and a vibrant spring ahead.