Photo: Chargée d’Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Vida Soraya S. Verzosa with the visual artist Ms. Wissam Al-Haddad and the ladies of the Diplomatic Club of Syria (DCoS)

Photo: The children who participated in the Art Workshop

DAMASCUS, Syria- As part of the celebration of the National Children’s Month, the observance of the National Play Advocacy Week (NPAW) led by the Philippine Play Coalition (PPC) and the Juvenile and Welfare Consciousness Week led by the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), the Philippine Embassy in Damascus led by Chargée d’ affaires, a.i. Vida Soraya S. Verzosa with the Diplomatic Club of Syria (DCoS) attended the Art Workshop called “Childhood and Antiquities’ by Baraem Syria Team, under the supervision of the visual artist Wissam Al-Haddad, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Governorate of Damascus at the Culture Palace (Anbar Office) on 6 November 2021 in Old City, Damascus.

The Embassy commits this month-long celebration to pay tribute to the children of the Philippines and Syria through this relevant activity to the overall focus on children’s rights in the new normal, with the theme “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!” and aims to ensure that no child will be left behind regardless of the situation.  Particularly, the month-long celebration will take-off from the previous current challenges, and learnings of the Philippines in terms of promoting and upholding children’s rights.

Ms. Al-Haddad showcased the children’s art works, which are made out of clay and mud, that employ a multi-disciplinary approach in introducing ancient artifacts to children in a holistic manner.  This approach encompasses classical studies, Egyptology, ancient history and archaelogy. 

Thereafter, the delegation also visited L’Arche Al Safina in Damascus. It is a center for people with intellectual disabilities that supports their basic needs. Its focus is on building relationships and cultivates a sense of belonging.  The community runs a workshop that offers social and creative art activities to the public. 

The Embassy and the DCoS showed their support by buying the art works of the members of L’Arche Al Safina.  END.