Art

Developing the child's imagination and creativity is an essential part of education. It is doubly important for young people who may be deprived emotionally as well as materially. With this in mind the DPF launched the Children's Art Programme, hoping to stimulate the children of Khlong Toei to find enjoyment and fulfilment in creative expression.

In a short space of time, the Foundation was almost overwhelmed by young people eager to take part. We discovered a wealth of talent among the slum children and we also saw that they were benefiting psychologically and emotionally from the opportunity to express themselves, working together harmoniously and taking a pride in their work.

Although it has grown in size and scope, the essence of the Children's Art Programme remains the same; a friendly "drop-in" centre. Slum children meet with the Foundation's art teacher every afternoon when school has finished and have access to materials and equipment, with guidance and training in a variety of techniques.

Occasionally some forty children go on art camps to places of historic and scenic interest. It provides a wonderful opportunity for young people, who rarely leave Bangkok, to respond to the clarity and space of rural surroundings, and the serenity of the temples and statuary from Thailand's past.

Many other special events are also arranged at weekends. Outings in the Bangkok area take place occasionally. Additional techniques, like batik and ceramics, can be taught at special courses. The young artists are occasionally invited to brighten-up slum kindergartens or community centres.

Some of the best of the children's paintings are sometimes on sale at the Foundation shop. Children's paintings have often been exhibited and some have even won national and international awards. Paintings from Khlong Toei have also been displayed at several special United Nations exhibitions.

Another big success has been the art project's charity greetings cards. Made by the children, or produced from designs they have created, Khlong Toei cards have been exported to six countries through fair trading companies dealing with the developing world.

The sense of achievement art gives to children who normally have little opportunity to achieve is inspiring. They know, too, that their pictures are helping people outside to understand the slum world in which they live. They also help the DPF staff, even those who were born in the slum, to remember what it is like to be a slum child.