Dear Friends,
Our interactive experience with children and youths at Pusat Jagaan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Budimas Orion, Senawang had been a humbling one which we shall never forget. The 2-day introduction to dance, undertaken on the 16 & 17 March 2024, was part of Sutra Dance Outreach Program, sponsored by Budimas Charitable Foundation.
The workshop endeavoured to expose the youths of the Centre to the rudiments of movement and dance. We believe that Arts & Culture are metaphorically the vitamins and trace elements needed, not only to empower and bring out their personality, but also induct these children and youths into the complex process of becoming caring adults in the future.
The children and youths go to school and live in the Centre. The interactive dance experience with Surra was part of several extracurricular activities provided at the Centre.
Sutra’s principal dancer, Geethika Sree and I, introduced them to the rudiments of movement discipline and through demonstrations they were able to experience the wonderment of the world of ‘Rasa’ or heightened emotions in dance.
They were able to engage themselves in the creative exercises and participated with zest.
The children were assisted ably by Budimas staff who were dedicated, caring and committed to the responsibility of being caregivers to the children and youths, providing home to these less privileged youths and making sure of their physical needs. Most of all, they were able to provide them with the care and love, needed besides education.
What was endearing was the multi-racial atmosphere of the Centre and the friendly, caring and accommodative manner both the staff and children/youths conduct their everyday life. There was always laughter and boisterous activities from the children, especially the boys.
The children and youths ranged from the youngest of 4 years of age to youths of 14 and 15.
Most of the boys and girls were Malays but there were also a few Chinese and Indian kids, too.
The Movement and Dance workshop was an eye-opener, challenging them to explore their creativity with the hope of catalysing and bringing out their inherent talents and potentials and we thank Budimas and the staff for assisting us in this interesting project.
Sutra.