Art for 3200 schoolgirls in Pakistan

Introduction

At Zindagi Trust, we believe that every child holds the potential to create something beautiful. Through our Art Program, students at SMB Fatima Jinnah and Khatoon-e-Pakistan Schools continue to explore creativity, compassion, and cultural awareness. This quarter was shorter than usual due to the academic calendar, with April and May being active teaching months before schools closed for summer break. Despite this, our students made the most of their time bringing imagination, empathy, and energy into every art activity. From empathy-filled greeting cards to clay chess pieces, this term was a celebration of hands-on learning and heartfelt expression.

 Grade-wise Highlights

 Grades 1 & 2 – Helping Hands and Kindness Cards

Our youngest artists reflected on the values of kindness and empathy through two projects. At both schools, students learned about the importance of helping others and created thoughtful greeting cards to spread messages of care. In a collaborative project called Helping Hands, students illustrated ways they could support friends, family, and community members laying the foundation for empathy through art.

Grade 3 – Playful Collage and Neon Drawings

Grade 3 students had a vibrant quarter, experimenting with collage and color. At KPS, they tore paper to build letters, turning a playful activity into an artistic alphabet. At SMB, students explored Neon Light art using soft pastels, learning to blend colors and create glowing compositions. Across both campuses, their joy in the process was matched only by their striking results.

Grade 4 – Acts of Kindness Quilt

In a thoughtful project called Acts of Kindness, students created a paper quilt with each square representing a personal act of goodness. This collective artwork not only showcased their creative talents but also sparked important conversations about how small gestures can brighten someone’s day.

Grade 5 – Clay Wall Hangings & Vaccination Awareness

Grade 5 students embraced clay to create decorative wall hangings that blended color, form, and fun. They also participated in a poster competition for World Immunization Day, hosted by AMAN, where they illustrated what vaccines mean to them. The combination of art and public health helped them express their ideas about protection, safety, and collective responsibility.

Grade 6 – Chess with a Twist

This term, Grade 6 explored storytelling through sculpture by designing themed chess sets in clay. Working in teams, students chose imaginative themes like Flowers, Healthy Food vs. Junk Food, and Music vs. Sports and crafted full chess piece sets. The process encouraged creative decision-making and collaboration. Many of them also joined the vaccination poster competition, using their art to advocate for wellness and awareness.

Grade 7 – Wool Art and Bobble Heads

In a mixed-media journey, Grade 7 students learned about Post-Impressionism and used wool to recreate iconic works, combining texture and brushstroke-inspired movement. They also sculpted Bobble Head Creatures with clay, learning to incorporate motion into their pieces through simple mechanics. The result: art that bounced with personality and innovation.

Grade 9 – Games with a Purpose

Grade 9 students began developing social issue-themed games. After studying various formats (board games, dice games, card games), they chose topics like mental health, child labour, and the climate crisis, using gameplay to raise awareness and inspire dialogue. The project will continue after the summer, encouraging research, design, and meaningful expression.

Grade 10 – Principles of Art & Sustainable Design

This quarter, Grade 10 students explored design principles and began working on compositions they will print on bags and cushion covers using printmaking techniques in August. Meanwhile, at KPS, students engaged in a weaving project using snack bags, transforming everyday waste into creative statements about sustainability and resourcefulness.

Competitions & Achievements

Toyota Dream Car Art Competition

This quarter brought outstanding recognition for two of our talented students:

• Aroosh T (SMB) won second place nationally and was selected to represent Pakistan in the international round in Japan. She attended the award ceremony in Lahore, marking a proud milestone for herself and our school.
• Areeba F (KPS) secured second place at the regional level with her artwork, Gold Detect or Cleaning Car.

Faculty Achievement

We are thrilled to share that Famia Shakeel, a dedicated art teacher at SMB, completed her diploma from the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture’s Continuing Education Program with distinction. Her accomplishment reflects our commitment to nurturing not just students, but educators as well.

Closing Thoughts

Even with a shortened quarter due to summer break and exams, our classrooms brimmed with creativity and purpose. Students explored new materials, reflected on social issues, and brought their ideas to life through thoughtful and imaginative projects. These experiences continue to build their confidence, sharpen their skills, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

We look forward to welcoming them back in August and continuing this journey of artistic discovery and expression.