Hillwood Primary School hosts an Art exhibition in Lavender Hill
Imagine the thrill of going to an Art exhibition of children's artwork only AND then
imagine the elation of attending an Historic first Art Exhibition hosted by
Hillwood Primary School in Lavender Hill.
Hillwood art students posing with Zain ( far left), Rachel Claassen, the principal (centre) and volunteer German students |
Zain, the art teacher of the group of learners who had never
drawn or painted before, explained how the art group started.
Rachel and Eunice admiring the artworks |
Zain and his charges who produced and hosted their first art exhibition |
Here we have the artists and their proud parents |
How humbling. Zain
explained that he wanted to give back to the community because he was helped by
the community organization, New World Foundation, himself. He wants to help
make a difference and help to shape the world of the learners so that they can
find their gifts, their talents and seek opportunities beyond their grey
world. There we sat with the parents of
our young artists, enjoying the kaleidoscope of drawings and paintings.
Rachel, the principal of Hillwood, was also overwhelmed.
This was her dream – to exhibit the artworks of her learners. Rachel praised
her learners and urged them to continue growing their artistic talents. She
reminded the parents that they have our most precious children who have to be
nurtured and supported unconditionally.
Hillwood Staff from Left: Kathy, Mark, Lionel, Eunice, Rachel and Maria |
Then the most magnanimous act of selfless giving unfolded
before our eyes. The learners’ artwork was going to be donated to two health
centres: The Retreat Day Hospital and the Lavender Hill clinic. Rachel
explained that these two beneficiaries deserve to be blessed with the colourful
artworks. She noticed that whenever she took learners to either the Day
hospital or the Lavender Hill clinic, she noticed how dull and morbid both
places are. People sit there with their
aches and pains and the atmosphere of the place adds to their depression.
One of the artists handing over the artwork to the Lavender Hill Clinic delegate |
“Let’s brighten up these spaces for our community with the
artworks of our own children. Let us show the Lavender Hill community that we
care for all and by doing that, we are also instilling pride in our children
who will see their works displayed in public, to be enjoyed for all, implored
Rachel.”
Here Retreat Day Hospital delegate (right)receives one of the artworks |
Such moments melt my heart. Here again we can see how Rachel
and her staff are working tirelessly to give their charges a head start in
life. Here I am reminded of Al Pacino’s
heartrending speech in the movie, Any Given Sunday. Al Pacino tells his
football team: “ The margin for error is
so small… the inches we need are everywhere around us… On this team we fight
for that inch. When we add up all the inches, that is going to make the
difference between winning and losing, between living and dying”… Either we
heal now as a team or we die as individuals. That’s football (substitute with life), guys, that’s all
it is.”
Yebo. Inch by inch, schools like Hillwood with the support
of New World Foundation, are creating shifts to change the Lavender Hill
landscape.
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