Smile Foundation conducts painting project for productive engagement of children at home

Millions of children are out of school due to the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In a bid to help parents keep the children busy and engaged productively, Smile Foundation came up with a week-long pan-India painting project.

A social development organization that works with school-going children under their Child for Child program, started the all India painting project to keep children busy with colors to fight gloom and boredom.

"This project is primarily designed in keeping the benefits of art therapy in mind. This boredom, gloom and uncertainly caused by the spread of virus and related deaths mostly always transfers to children where it negatively impacts their mental health. The idea is to manage behaviors, process feelings, and reduce stress and anxiety, which affected all children, across society," said Santanu Mishra, Executive Trustee, and Co-Founder, Smile Foundation.

"It is almost a journey of self-discovery, where these children showcase their understanding of the fears surrounding them. Creating art often helps one acknowledge and recognize feelings and worries that have been lurking in the sub-conscience," he said.

Smile Foundation's Child for Child team reached out to thousands of their school partners in a bid to keep students not only busy and engaged productively but also to compete for fun. A national-level campaign, "Let's Win the Fight over Corona" was started on March 30 and concluded on April 6.

"We were overwhelmed with the tremendous response we received from across zones. Most entries, almost 50% came from Maharashtra, probably because the state has now become the epicenter for Corona Virus in India. There are some beautiful paintings that have been submitted by children," said Monica Mor, Head, Child for Child Programme, Smile Foundation.

"This Corona pandemic has truly left our students affected and they really want to do something, whatever little while staying home. The submissions vary in their concepts, from "Washing Hands", "Break the Chain", "Social Distancing", "Save the Earth". Children as young as 4 years have sent in their drawings. This clearly shows that students care and that they want to be heard," she said.

"It's a great initiative to make the kids engaged with the activities and to make them aware on Covid 19", said Suneetha Manthri from Hyderabad, whose 12 year's old daughter studies in Global Edge School.

"We appreciate such campaigns by such progressive foundation" said Kumar Raghav, father of Vivaan who is kindergarten student at Cambridge International, Phagwara, Punjab.