Introducing new meaning to summer vacation CAIRO: If you think local children don't have great artistic potential, think again. Al Sawy's first concert of the "My Vacations Program captivated the audience with the talent of these young performers. For the fourth year in a row, the summer program has proved to be successful, with over 400 children participating this year. The program teaches children, under the age of 16, various types of arts such as music, drawing, singing, acting and sculpturing. "My main concern is human development and this particular [young] age is no exception, due to the profound impact art can have on their future, says Mohamed El Sawy, founder of El Sawy Culture Center. El Sawy explains that the program, approaching its fourth year, has achieved a stage of maturity through experience. "In previous years we used to rely more on spontaneity and take decisions on a daily basis, or according to the children's mood, says El Sawy. "However, now we are working on a strict schedule without making the child feel enslaved, and this is positively reflected on the child's performance. Rania Refaat, a trainer at the Center, explains how she teaches children the art of narrating a "good story in front of an audience using vocal and rhetorical effects. She teaches children story construction, including the beginning, the conflict and the end. "I teach children the value of stories and how to widen their imagination, says Refaat, adding that the children's efforts would be rewarded by being published by El Sawy's organization. "It will be a children's storybook, from children to children with little editing from my side, says Refaat. According to Liqaa Mohamed, the children's music teacher, the hardest part was catering to each individual child's talent. Some were good at playing instruments while others have beautiful voices. "Working with children was a wonderful experience, says Mohamed. "I was even grateful to work with them longer hours until 8 and 9 p.m. Parents of the children who preformed at the concert joined together in praise for the program. Lubna Fouad, mother of nine-year-old Nourhane and six-year-old Youssef, tells The Daily Star Egypt that the concert hall looked entirely different in the mornings. Around the long tables, children gathered in groups, each performing a different activity. "A child gets to join each group and choose the one that appeal to them, says Fouad. "I learned about the 'My Vacation Program' after attending a birthday at El Sawy's, says Maha Taher, mother of seven-year-old Hagar who plays the piano. "I am glad my daughter had the courage to appear on stage and perform after only 10 days of practicing. Some parents pointed out that these activities are supplementary to school, which usually does not devote much time to such activities. According to Sabah Nassar, a mother, enrolling a child in El Sawy is better than a social club because it focuses on the behavioral aspect of a child with all the public awareness messages, urging youth not to smoke or litter. El Sawy's greatest challenge has been dealing with children from different backgrounds, some of whom might have a destructive attitude. "Some children would go throw things on the ground; this type of child needs a lot of patience and to be treated quietly, says El Sawy. "Thank God, so far we have handled matters successfully and we did not dismiss anyone. The "My Vacation Program workshop starts at the beginning of each month and meets on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. An exhibition and concert are held each month displaying the work of the previous month. The art workshops commenced in June and will run through August. Concerts of the "My Vacation Program will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Al Sakia from July 9-12, 2006.
