Through the USAID’s Hugpong program, we held the first Marawi Children Art Exhibit last December 11, 2019 at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building.  We exhibited the art works of children from the healing and art workshops held over the past year. 

The children created art to express what is in their hearts.  It helped in their journey towards healing.  They drew about their longing for peace, their love for country and for their family, their dreams, their favorite things.   It was now time to open their hearts and share their drawings with their teachers, their parents, their friends.   The hall became festive as beautiful, colourful drawings of children were pasted on dividers, clipped on makeshift easels, hanged on strings and spread on tables all around the hall. 

The occasion was graced by the Lanao Vice Governor, the Board Member and Head of the Education Committee of the Provincial Sanggunian, the DepEd Superintendent and her Assistant Superintendent who cut the ribbon to open the exhibit.  The guests went around the hall to view the art works, including children who looked for the drawings of their classmates.    

Select students explained their drawings in front of the audience.  The student from Caloocan ES said “Nakikiisa ako sa paggawa ng kapayapaan, paggalang sa kapwa tao at pagsunod sa batas.”  The student from Amai Pakpak said “Ang turo sa Islam ay magmahalan at magkaisa.  Hindi tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa.  Tayo ay babangon, parang magkapamilya.”   Peace and hope – – this was a recurring theme of their drawings, a common longing in the hearts of Marawi children.