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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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A gift of hope Ten young artists show the world that 'you are never too young to be effective' by Vimukthi Fernando The sun, the moon and the stars; sea and land; coconut palm, sunflower, mango, - dolphins and butterflies... bright, beautiful and warm. A world of colour... feast to the eyes. A mural, three feet long and two-and-half wide stands by. "The whole world... in one place", ten cheery notes rise in harmony. A lilt of pride ringing in their voices, ten "Little Rays of Hope" beam around.
Painting is a world of "fun" they go on, in unison. A way "to relax after all your school work." A "great" means of "learning... and improving yourself." A "wonderful opportunity... to loosen up... be yourself...." They joined the school of art, because they "loved to paint" were "drawing and painting in any paper" they got their hands on... and perhaps were "a bit of trouble" to their parents! Most of them took their first steps in painting when they were about four years old. And now, they not only enjoy what they do "immensely...", but have come afore, showing the whole world that 'you are never too small, to be effective.' Aged, seven to 11 years, ten young artists - Shamira Ghouse (7), Sahani Welikala (7), Akana Jayewardene (8), Nikita Samaratunga (9), Harindrini Corea (9), Sabrina Ghouse (10), Nishika Samaratunga (10), Shaneen Dewendre (11), Harini Weerasekera (11) and Ranya Samarasinghe (11) from Lathifa Ismail School of Art will hold "Little Rays of Hope" an exhibition and sale of paintings in aid of Hope Cancer Hospital, at the Lionel Wendt on October 12 and 13. It is not the first time that they wanted to bring hope to the hearts of other children. Last year, a similar exhibition supported the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital, "to buy equipment so that they could treat little children, better", says Harindrini. And this year, "it is the Hope Cancer Hospital, a good project helping a lot of needy children", adds Harini. "Yes, When we heard of Mahela Jayawardene's brother, we felt sad and really wanted to help", joins Shaneen. They have been working on the project for months and have collected over 250 paintings between them. "I have 27 paintings", says Sahani, one of the youngest in the group. And Akana, though moved to part with some of her precious old paintings - had to "touch them up - because they looked too childish"! The talk, leads on to the special mural they painted. It was "a lot of fun" to paint the mural. But, "Do they want to say anything special?" Not really. All they wanted to do was "to draw something cheerful... things we like... and make us happy..." to bring cheer and hope to the lives of those not so fortunate. It could be the first mural by Sri Lankan children, to help children themselves, and to be auctioned for such a cause. It is to be auctioned at the Lionel Wendt, on October 11 at 7 pm when their exhibition will be opened. It is a wonder to see how knowledgeable these little children are, on cancer. It is "incurable. There is no medicine to cure cancer completely... yet", says Sabrina. "Unless, you detect it in the earliest stage", adds Nishika. Etched in her memory is her beloved grandfather's illness and pain. "It was found out only during the last stages... too late..." the hushed tones explain. Even though, "medicine could control cancer at the early stages" it is "still very painful, this chemotherapy. It brings dark patches on your skin and makes you lose your hair" says Harindrini remembering two of her mother's friends. And Ranya, who visits the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama every Christmas with her mother sees the proposed 750 bed hospital - a way to rid the "trouble they have to go through. Coming from distant villages, sleeping on the floor, sometimes with no-one to look after them." Akana, thinks "It must be terrible, to live with the knowledge (of death)." "Imagine, if they are mothers or fathers..., leaving their children...." Empathy brings in a moment of silence, their hearts going out towards those suffering from the disease, their experience of cancer, binding them closer to their quest... "So, why do you want to do all these?" breaks the silence. Because "We want to help stop children from getting sick. So that we can have a better world", says Sabrina with the rest chipping in, in agreement. And, how much money do they want to collect? "Mmmmm..... about 300,000" "Oooops... we are not master artists... can we... really... collect about that much... we'd love to..." "No, No, No" say their parents, "They don't have the slightest idea about money, or the value of their paintings". How much do they really value anyway? These children have done their part, and given their best towards a worthy cause. And isn't it the duty of all of us adults, to give proper value to their thoughtfulness?
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