Earth Day Bahrain

Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

More than 300 children from private and government schools took part in an Earth Day art competition at the Marina Club yesterday.

Children began arriving at the club since early morning to register for the first of its kind event.

“I arrived with my son at 7am when the club was still closed. Several parents and children were waiting outside,” said Ali Salim Mubarak whose son took part in the event.

Talal is autistic. He was among 30 children with special needs who took part in the event organised by the Rotary Club of Adliya and Ispektrum – a group of Filipino artists.

A special tent was set up for children with special needs.

“We registered 300 children, including 30 with special needs who expressed themselves through their paintings and gave a tough competition to others,” said Mahmood Al Yousif from the Rotary Club.

The participants were provided with acrylics and other material and teachers tested their drawing skills. The competition was held under Minister Fatima bint Mohammed Al Belushi’s patronage.

Amina Habib Sarhan from Al Rahma Centre won the first prize of BD250 in the children with special needs category.

Esra Hasan and Hussain Akeel Ali received BD200 each in the primary and secondary school categories.

The Hussainiya Art workshop and the Bahrain Art Society judged the paintings.

The event raised BD26,750 of which BD20,000 will go to the Ministry of Social Development.

“The ministry may set up a special art centre to exhibit these paintings. We are providing a platform for children to gather and express views of the future through paintings,” Yousif said.

Part of proceeds from the competition will be used for distressed Filipino workers.

“We will use part of the money to buy air tickets homes for distressed Filipino workers,” said Mylene Pavedes from Ispektrum.

[S]he was joined by some 20 volunteers from the organisation.

The organisers plan to display the paintings on their website (www.earthdaybahrain.org) for bidding.

Bahrain Tribune – 22/3/08