Colours of Hope 2015
Child Sponsorship Program centres across Asia saw thousands of sponsored children participate in the annual Colours of Hope drawing and painting competition.
The Colours of Hope competition exists to promote and cultivate the artistic talents in children that are in Child Sponsorship Program centres in Asia. Not every child chose to participate in the competition, but a large percentage did and beautiful artwork that resulted is amazing to behold! The ages of the children that do competitions varies between 4 years-old to 17 years-old.
There are seven different themes that a child could choose from to depict in their artwork. These themes served as “prompts” to help stimulate their imagination and drawing skills. It’s important to remember that these children live in areas and cultures of the world much different than our own, so what they perceive as “common” or “normative” could be strikingly different than what we as Westerners might expect. It’s also just as true that kids are kids no matter what part of the world they are in and the imagination the Lord has blessed them with is something to cherish.
Seven themes for the artwork
Click to enlarge each picture
Drawn by an 11 year old boy
Birth of Jesus/Manger Scene
It’s good to remember that these children live in a country that isn’t familiar with Jesus, much less His birth.
This drawing reflects what a sponsored child imagines when he or she thinks about the story of Christ’s birth, which may be within their own cultural experience. As each child spends time in the Child Sponsorship Program centre, he or she will grow in understanding about Jesus and His life.
Drawn by a 16 year old boy
Natural Calamities Scene
Living in South Asia, it’s likely that children are aware of the natural disasters that can wreak havoc on their country. Yearly monsoon rains can cause flooding. Living in the coastal regions can bring along the threat of a tsunami or cyclones. Just last year, various parts of South Asia were rocked with earthquakes. Children enrolled in GFA's Child Sponsorship Program are no strangers to natural calamities and the drawings in this theme reflect what children imagine when they think about natural disasters.
Drawn by a 9 year old boy
Sunset/Night Sky Scene
Depending on where the child lives, he may see the sun go down over mountain peaks or over the deep blue of an ocean or lake. His night sky may be filled with stars and a bright moon shining above their village home. Drawings in this theme reflect what your children imagine as a sunset or night sky.
Drawn by a 7 year old girl
Favorite Cartoon Scene
Like most children all around the globe, sponsored children probably enjoy watching a cartoon every now and then. Mickey Mouse may make some smile and laugh—or maybe it’s Winnie the Pooh, Tom and Jerry, Dora the Explorer or a common cartoon shown in the children’s countries, like Doraemon, a cat-like robot from the future; or Chhota Bheem, an Indian boy who goes on adventures with his friends. Children may see these shows at local shops that have TVs or maybe even a friend’s house.
Drawn by a 10 year old girl
Favorite Sport Scene
What child doesn’t enjoy having fun and playing games? Children in Child Sponsorship Program centres are no different. Whether it’s soccer or cricket, jump rope or carrom, badminton or volleyball, this drawing reflects a game children like to play with friends.
Drawn by a 6 year old girl
Hillside Village Scene
A depiction of a hillside village can be different all across South Asia. We’ve seen children draw dirt pathways leading to clusters of homes; villages crowded with people; rivers with mountains in the distance; a house with paddy fields in the front lawn; a village marketplace; and other scenes.
Drawn by a 15 year old girl
My Child Sponsorship Program Centre Scene
All across South Asia, Child Sponsorship Program centres look different. Some are one-level buildings situated in remote villages, while others can be multiple levels and in cities. You’ll find some surrounded by luscious, green plants and trees; some by streaming rivers; and others in the middle of busy city life. You’ll even find a Jesus Well nearby at some Child Sponsorship Program centres. The drawing that each child creates reflects the surroundings or Child Sponsorship Program centre—or maybe even the activities that child takes part in while at the centre.
#HopeinColors
If you receive a piece of artwork from your sponsored child, snap a photo and share it on social media (Instagram, Facebook or Twitter) using the hashtag #hopeincolors! We look forward to seeing you share their artwork and hearing what you think about it.