By Hira Shaikh | Program Officer - Special Programs and Advocacy
As winter's chill embraces us, it's time to reflect on the artistic endeavors and triumphs of our students. Just as the summer sun painted dreams and possibilities, the fall and winter months brought a new set of opportunities, met with enthusiasm by our dedicated students.
Teachers meticulously planned class activities, which were eagerly embraced by our students – for Grades 1, 2, and 3, the focus was on understanding the color wheel, basic lines, and patterns, while Grade 4 and 5 students explored overlapping, pointillism, reflection, newspaper collage, and typography. Grade 6 delved into the world of renowned artist Romero Britto, learning about his distinctive style. They also explored surrealism, worked on melting clocks, expressed their concern for marine life through art, and honed their hand-building techniques with lantern-making in clay pottery.
Meanwhile, our Grade 7 students engaged in a variety of activities, from crafting cake slices with clay to exploring thumbprint art. Grade 8 ventured into still-life drawings, impressionism, and Yayoi Kusama-inspired art. In Grade 9, students worked on circular portraits, geometric animal sculptures, and geometric perspective drawings, while Grade 10 explored memory mix media, wirework, woolen art on chicken net, and emotion art.
In late August, Zindagi Trust partnered with House of Pebbles to organize the "Wellness Wonderland" mental health camp at Khatoon-e-Pakistan Government Girls School. This initiative helped Grade 6, 7, and 8 students explore self-care, mindfulness, and connection through diverse artistic expressions, fostering their mental well-being.
The initial part of the STEAM Pakistan collaboration also wrapped up in August. The Head of Art at Zindagi Trust curated ten art lessons accompanied by instructional videos These resources, set to be published on the organization's website, aim to assist teachers in a thousand schools across Pakistan.
In November, our students enthusiastically took part in the Pakistan Learning Festival 2023 at the Arts Council. Designed for school children, this event highlighted the significance of learning and socializing and provided a platform for our students from Khatoon-e-Pakistan and SMB Fatima Jinnah School to showcase their passion for knowledge through engaging in creative artistic activities, turning education into an unforgettable adventure.
On November 17, Zindagi Trust, in collaboration with Aahung, organized an open house event at Khatoon-e-Pakistan Girls School to raise awareness about our LSBE program. Visitors showed keen interest in the program and actively participated in engaging art activities, such as throw printing, during the event alongside the students. Additionally, students also contributed to fundraising efforts, with three of their artworks being successfully sold during the silent auction.
On November 20, Child Protection Services, a wing of Aga Khan University Hospital, in collaboration with Off The Beaten Track (OTBT), organized the first Art and Photography Competition in December for both school and university students, revolving around the theme “Protecting the Freedom of Childhood.”
Breaking out their artistic vibes, 81 students from SMB Fatima Jinnah School participated in the competition. The results were announced on 1st December 2023, and four of our students secured second, third, and honorary positions. The students also had the opportunity to meet Syra Yousuf during the closing ceremony of the competition. The smiles on their faces captured the essence of a moment filled with pride, creativity, and the celebration of the freedom of childhood.
SMB Fatima Jinnah School also emerged as the premier institution in Karachi, conquering nine challenging levels in the competitions organized by STEAM and the Sindh Education and Literacy Department (SELD).
Additionally, with our commitment to holistic education, the Head of Art at Zindagi Trust worked closely with the National Curriculum Council (NCC) to finalize the Art Curriculum and developed a progression grid for inclusion in the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training. With our sights set on our long-term goal, Zindagi Trust is on the verge of implementing the Art Curriculum, tailored for Grades 1-8, across all government schools in Pakistan.
A Digital Arts course is also in the works. This course, designed to introduce students to industry-standard software and equipment for digital drawing and design, aims to enhance their skills and creativity. The Digital Arts Lab is currently under development at SMB Fatima Jinnah, with the program set to launch in the upcoming term.
Now, as winter unfolds, the passion and dedication of our students continue to paint a tapestry of creativity. We eagerly anticipate the forthcoming season, brimming with the promise of growth and artistic exploration at the Zindagi Trust Schools.
As the holiday season approaches, the students anticipate a well-deserved break. Looking ahead to the coming year, we eagerly await the continued artistic exploration at the Zindagi Trust Schools. In addition to ongoing endeavors, we are excited to share that plans for our annual art festival in March 2024 are already underway.
May the upcoming season be filled with joy, creativity, and the spirit of community that defines the essence of our educational journey. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support and look forward to sharing more inspiring stories in the days to come. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.
By Aatika Saleem | Program Officer - Special Programs and Advocacy
By Aatika Saleem | Program Officer - Special Programs and Advocacy
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