SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) – The City Government of San Fernando conducted a pottery-making class and painting session for young children on Aug. 4-6.

As part of the celebration of the People’s Day for Children, the three-day activity aims to help the schoolaged 8 to 15 find an outlet for creativity and self-expression for their overall well-being.

“Ang cinater natin for this year is 60 na mga bata for six-session pottery and painting class and we allocated 10 slots per session para dun sa mga kabataan ng San Fernando,” explained Trisha Mae Zafra, project development officer of the program.

The activity was participated in by young individuals from Nasudi Center who were once neglected and abused.

Nasudi Center, which is situated at  Barangay Sibuan-Otong, San Fernando City, La Union provides shelter and protection to exploited and traumatized mother and children in San Fernando and cared for by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Also, she stressed meditative pottery and painting activities can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and foster a sense of inner peace in the children.

“We hope na this will aid yung development ng mga bata sa mga simple na activities like this,”she said.

During the activity, the kids were taught by sculptors of the Red Clay Pottery  basic hand-building techniques to create fun sculptural and functional works from clay. 

Projects for each session include a plate, pots,vase, among others.

In addition, they learned how to decorate using underglaze paints.

"Masaya po ako dahil naranasan ko po ang gumawa ng iba't ibang bagay gamit ang putik, sobra po akong nag-enjoy,"said one of the participants.

Further, the city government partnered with the US Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines for the conduct of a leadership training seminar for the children’s congress on August 11; musical lecture and training, a basketball clinic, a friendly game on August 25;  and a sports and arts fest on August 29. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/KJCR, PIA La Union)