Funkor Child Art Centre is a part of Initiative for Rural & Sustainable Development (IRSD) a registered (Reg:RS/ICT/145,dated Islamabad 1992 Societies ACT), private non- profit , non political voluntary organization.Funkor uses the medium of arts to extend children’s outlook and awareness of the concepts of environment and heritage protection, human rights, equality, tolerance and peace. Funkor is committed to promoting art among children and generating healthy and creative activities for children from a broad spectrum of society. Funkor is made up of an urdu word fun meaning art and kor a pushtu word meaning house, in other words an art house for children. Art is a luxury not many children can afford in Pakistan. Art activities are non-existent in schools for the children from the lower income group. A minority of privileged children going to private schools have art as a subject, but for the majority of children belonging to the under privileged sections of society art is a luxury they cannot afford. Art activity is a very entertaining event for children who have never experienced the joy of painting. 

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

To organize workshops and events for children with different NGO’s and Government departments, and generate art workshops in schools for the under-privileged, Katchi Abadis ( Shanty Towns),  Refugee camps and centers for Special Children. To promote creativity among children.To promote awareness through Art To promote respect for different cultures, religions and races.To encourage children to appreciate and respect Nature.

PEACE THROUGH ART  

With international collaboration Funkor aims at spreading the message of peace. We promote respect for different religions, races and culture among children of Pakistan and represent Pakistani children’s yearning for these ideals through art at International events. Represented Pakistan and exhibited paintings and murals on ‘Multi Cultural’ Harmony at the Children’s Art Festival in Munich, Hiroshima, Washington, Tokyo, New York and Vienna.

International Collaborations with The Asian Network of Trust Hiroshima, Japan

http://www.ant-hiroshima.org/.
The Little Art, Munich  http://www.little-art.org
The Art Miles Mural Project U.S.A www.artmiles.org

 Japanese Asian African Latin American Association of Artists International Center for Literacy and Culture, Japan

ART FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN

Started classes of ‘Tactile Drawings’ for the visually impaired children at Al Maktoom Centre for Visually Challenged, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. We have designed special workshops for these children to enhance their tactile abilities. The special material, such as silicon and plastic sheets were donated by the Children’s Art Gallery in Munich with the help of Mr. Bildt and Ms.  Elke Zollistch. Arranged several exhibitions and art competitions for Special Children. Clay workshop with renowned ceramist Sheherezade Alam was a great success with children of Almaktoom Centre.Used Art and story telling as an integral part of healing with the victims of the devastating earthquake of October 2005 in the hospitals and camps in Islamabad. Some of the artwork and stories have been published in a book ‘Kashmir’s Children – The Silent Witnesses of the Earthquake’, Al Madad Foundation Elliot & Thompson.

CHILDREN FOR HERITAGE PROTECTION

• In collaboration with different schools, started Children’s Cultural Caravan to raise awareness about the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan, and inculcate a respect for the multi cultural heritage of Pakistan. We are privileged to have the renowned archaeologist, Dr. A. H Dani accompany us on different trips.

• Organized special events to encourage children of traditional craftsmen, whose craft is on the verge of extinction. An example is the special event we organized for the two school going sons of a slate engraver, 11 yr old Adil in addition, the other 10 year old Salman, who gave a special demonstration of engraving slate, the objective was to encourage them and show them that their father’s craft is appreciated, and to promote crafts of Pakistan  among children from the privileged class.

• Using the creative arts as a tool for learning about the historic environment.

CHILDREN FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

 • To create awareness about the environment we participate in the ‘Tree Plantation’ week of the Capital Development Authority each year. We paint murals on importance of trees in different schools and communities. Renowned artist Ghulam Rasul planted saplings with children.

•  We promote ‘paper making’ we have organized several workshops of ‘Recycled Paper’ made from old newspaper. Children make cards and paint pictures on the paper made by them.

•  We have organized workshops of making different crafts from junk, such as discarded polythene bags, juice packets etc.  This encourages children to recycle and reuse.

•  Identified, located, catalogued and preserved historical, architectural, cultural, natural heritage including flora and fauna of Islamabad.

PEACE THROUGH BOOKS 

Funkor Childart Centre produces books for children, to promote Tolerance and Multi- cultural Harmony.

•  In collaboration with Asian Network of Trust, Hiroshima, produced a book ‘Sadako’s Prayer’, the young victim of nuclear holocaust in Hiroshima. It was distributed free of cost among children in the Earthquake areas of Azad Kashmir. It has been distributed in different schools of Pakistan. It has been translated in Dari language in Afghanistan and through ANT, is distributed in schools of Afghanistan. The ‘Sadako Project’ team won the Hiroshima Citizen’s Award for promotion of Peace Education.

• Produced ‘Glimpses into the Soul of Islamabad”, published by Sungi Development Foundation. It is a trail blazing book, which promotes the multi cultural heritage of Islamabad, and respect for ‘Nature’. It is a pioneering work, which identifies, locates, catalogues and preserves  historical, architectural, cultural, natural heritage including flora and fauna of Islamabad.  It documents the ancient trees of Islamabad  in addition, advocates its protection.

• Produced ‘Amai’s Wish’, it was written after September 11. It promotes empathy for the children who lost their loved ones in 9/11, as well as the Afghan children .

• Written and illustrated ‘Children of Light’, it promotes peace and tolerance between India and Pakistan, and creates awareness about nuclear weapons. It is published by ACTIONAID and is distributed free of cost in schools.

• Participated in the preparatory meeting of a Peace book for children of South Asia, organized by the International Centre for Culture and Literacy Japan and supported by Japan Foundation. Writers and artists from India and Nepal also participated.