“Selah” art therapy program will conclude with an exhibition during Ramadan, to showcase the orphans’ artworks

Dubai, UAE, May 22, 2016:   The ‘Selah’ Art Program founded and organised by The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in co-operation with 'The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors', launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, successfully completed the final workshop.

The fourth and final workshop of the ‘Selah’ Art Program designed to help children and orphans to communicate their emotions and learn through expressive activity using art, was recently hosted at The Family Village, in collaboration with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation.

The final session, which was led by Emirati volunteer artists, including Rashid Al Mulla, Khawla Darwish and Alia Lootah, focused on the principle of creating a 'happy place'. The orphans and young children were tasked with working as a group to create their own happy place together by decorating materials, which were then arranged on canvases. Molds of the children’s hands were also used to create a unique sculpture.

The workshop was designed to help the children to strengthen their social skills and empathy, as well as celebrate the works they have created throughout the course of the Program. The workshop built on the numerous skills developed throughout the program, helping the children to look towards a positive future when depicting their ‘happy place'. The children worked collaboratively with the Emirati volunteer artists, which reinforced the key objective of the Program to connect the children with themselves, each other and the wider community.

The workshop was attended by His Excellency Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, who spoke to the children involved in the Program about their artworks and achievements throughout the initiative, in addition to Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal and a number of officials from both establishments.

His Excellency Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, said: “The Selah Art Program is a leading community initiative which supports orphans and minors, and is one of The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s many humanitarian achievements. The Foundation’s children have benefitted greatly from the workshops, which have supported the development of their personalities and social skills, and the government’s efforts to enhance their participation in society.”

Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal, said: “The Selah Art Program reflects Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s unwavering belief to support and care for humanitarian causes. We are proud of its incredible success, helping over 80 orphans throughout the UAE to develop their confidence, self-esteem and resilience through artistic expression. We’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements during a very special art exhibition which is taking place during Ramadan. I am also grateful to the Emirati artists who volunteered and were trained to lead these specialised art therapy workshops, showing their compassion and care towards the orphans and minors.”

The ‘Selah’ Art Program is an initiative of The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in collaboration with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, led by numerous Emirati volunteer artists. The year-long program will officially conclude with a special art exhibition to be held during Ramadan, which will showcase the children’s various artworks and achievements throughout the art program.

The Program reflects Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s ongoing efforts to support humanitarian causes and the continued development of the UAE arts movement with the help of Emirati volunteers from the local arts scene. The volunteer artists worked closely with the children; helping them to grow and heal through self-expression and interaction. Numerous studies have linked art with positive emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth, which improves the ability of disadvantaged children to engage at schools and become well-rounded adults and valued members of their communities.