WITHIN less than half a year, the number of underprivileged children learning art, music, drama, dancing and performing arts at the StART Society has doubled.
The arts academy formed by the Foetus International had 60 children from four homes when it started in April and it now caters to 150 children from six homes namely Shelter, Ti Ratana, Rumah Kids, Agathians, Stepping Stone, and Beth Shalom.
“Our focus is all about nurturing talents regardless of the background,” said Foetus International executive chairman Datuk Vincent Lee during the official launch of the academy recently.
The academy was launched by Social Welfare Malaysia director-general Datuk Meme Zainal Rashid and witnessed by guest of honour Toh Puan Ena Ling.
Dance away: The children at the StART Society performing for the guests during the official launch. “Here we provide children a safe place to express and articulate their feelings and emotions through arts. The ultimate will be to see them come back to inspire the next generation,” he said.
According to StART programme director Joshua Lee, the academy provided the children with consistent coaching, learning and mentoring in the different disciplines where lessons and workshops are delivered by talents and professionals from the creative industries.
“Our winning formula also includes continuity and long term mentor-mentee relationship of child and teacher,” said Joshua.
In celebrating its official opening, StART hosted a buka puasa treat for guests who attended the event.
The evening ended with an auction of the children’s artwork where the proceeds were channelled to the society.
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