European Union supports disadvantaged Children’s Art Exhibition in Sri Lanka

Aug. 1, 2008 - PRLog -- A visit to three special needs schools spread across the war-ravaged Jaffna Peninsula in the afternoons of these days, after school is over, would provide visitors with a joyful sight.

There are more than 300 children from ages 2 - 16 years drawing and preparing for two art exhibitions to be held in both Jaffna and Colombo in September / October 2008.

The children are talented and drawing very intently to produce a piece of artwork which they have been told will be viewed by many people in Jaffna and Colombo.

These children are from the poorest families of war-ravaged Jaffna peninsula, and also include intellectually and physically disabled children and children affected by trauma due to the war and tsunami.

Dedicated teachers and volunteers supervise the children. They either reject or accept artworks for the exhibition. If one is not to a particular standard, the child is asked to draw again.

The European Union (The Delegation of the European Commission) is supporting and funding the exhibition, and it is expected that the EU will be representing at the highest level.

The Gods Own Children Foundation, a grassroots-level NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) which has been labouring for the rights of the disadvantaged children in the war-ravaged Jaffna peninsula, is organising and conducting the art exhibitions both in Jaffna and Colombo. The Gods Own Children Foundation operate three special needs schools in Ariyalai, Siththankerny and Point Pedro in the war-ravaged Jaffna peninsula, and a total of approximately 350 children will show off their exhibits at these exhibitions.

The Colombo exhibition is expected to draw considerable crowds from the south, and schools and other organisations will be officially invited. The event would also be a fund raiser, where the children’s art would be up for sale to raise funds for resource centres for children, and an Employment Skills Training Centre for Disadvantaged Youth of the Jaffna Peninsula. The support of other international and national NGOs also would be enlisted to make this exhibition a success.

The art exhibition in Jaffna will be held on 7th and 8th of September 2008, at the Ilam Kalaingar Mandram Hall in Nallur, Jaffna.

The art exhibition in Colombo will be held on 30th September to 1st October 2008, at the St.Pauls Church Hall, Milagiriya, Bambalapitiya coinciding with the International Children’s Day 2008.







The European Commission's Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives:

Sandali Wijayatilake
Trade, Press & Information
European Commission Delegation, Sri Lanka
26 Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha Colombo 7
Tel: (94 11) 2674413, Fax: (94 11) 2678860

http://www.dellka.ec.europa.eu/en/index.htm





The Gods Own Children Foundation:

Dr.B.Anandkumar, Justice of the Peace
Chairman
Gods own Children Foundation
140, Temple Road, Jaffna
Tel: 021 222 5796 / 077 3627055

http://www.godsownchildren.com/