For 40 years, the Foundation for Children (FFC) has been protecting and providing opportunities for abused, underprivileged and neglected children by nourishing their souls through alternative learning methods.
From now until Sunday, knick-knacks and artworks done by the children from FFC are on sale at the Gift Fest, a charity event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Notebooks, planners, Post-its and a tote bag designed by kids from the Foundation For Children.
Registered with the Ministry of Education, FFC -- made up of three schools in Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi -- cares for troubled children of various backgrounds aged up to 22. The foundation teaches children to be self-sufficient and confident, and to grow into positive members of society through the concepts of A.S Neil's Summerhill School, Buddhist philosophy and the Montessori method -- a hands-on and creative-learning approach whereby children are given the freedom to learn and explore the world at their own pace.
Visual arts activities, collectively called the Art Box, have been a fundamental aspect in how children learn and develop themselves. Every afternoon, kids are encouraged to choose an artistic activity -- woodworking, batik, cloth dyeing, stitching and sewing -- to fuel their creativity and ease their troubles.
Seeing their artistic skills develop over time, the foundation transforms their artworks into little knick-knacks like holiday cards, magnets, notebooks and notepads to sell. The money goes directly toward the child's personal savings account for future schooling as well as to FFC's other programmes helping disadvantaged children throughout the country.
"Our kids usually come from broken families, have been physically abused, sexually abused, or come from families addicted to drugs," said Ladda Rakprachathai, deputy director of the Baan Saan Rak Kindergarten in the foundation, explaining the importance of art in their programme.
"With these issues we don't know what problems have been pent up inside their hearts. If we only give them [academic] education, we don't see who they really are. If we don't have the Art Box, we don't see who they are. It's not just for healing, it's something [allowing] them to let go, and the teachers will carefully observe this and help the child. Especially with woodworking. Some kids come in angry and they get to hammer things, smash things, and use their creativity."
Greeting cards with mandala flowers designed by kids from the Foundation For Children.
The kids tend to start off making toys and other items for themselves, while the teachers support their creative endeavours. If the kids are interested in selling their works of art or have created a surplus of them, the foundation creates a channel through which they can be sold. And until Sunday, the knick-knacks created by the children will be on sale at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center's Gift Fest 2018.
Fifteen-year-old Nancy, for example -- whose works are featured in the greeting cards, Post-it notes and 2019 yearly planner -- has been with the FFC since she was a toddler. Her mother had dropped her off at the foundation and disappeared, leaving Nancy in care of the school. Immersing herself in art activities, her love of creating emerged when she was six years old, gradually developing her skills to be one of the best of her class.
"I used to be a crybaby," the young girl said. "I used to be hot-headed as well. Art helped me, as it requires a lot of concentration… I'm happy [that my art sells]. The first time my artwork sold was from the field trip in Ayutthaya. They had us draw and cut and paste cloth on it, and it turns out mine sold a lot. I was really happy because I really liked doing it."
With the Gift Fest providing a space for the FFC to sell their products, they are providing further opportunities for the future of kids like Nancy.
"We're so happy and touched that the Gift Fest has given us an opportunity," said Ladda. "Opportunity is the most important thing. You're giving an opportunity for those who have no opportunity in order to change themselves and know their own value. The foundation sees that everything, no matter how unequal society is, is a chance for opportunity. What's most crucial is that you see the importance of what these kids are doing."
Until Sunday at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
10am-8pm
To help The Foundation For Children (FFC), go to:
- ffc.or.th
- shareforchild.com (Thai language site)
- Line: @shareforchild
- Tel 02-881-1734
