Superheroes unite
SUPERHEROES seem to be the talk of the town, especially since Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice hit the big screen. Last Saturday, the hype over superheroes was taken a notch higher with A Gathering Of Superheroes, a mini festival to celebrate real- life superheroes.
The event, organised by Pusat Kreatif Kanak- Kanak Tuanku Bainun ( PKKKTB) and curated by Kakisen. com, pays tribute to people who have sacrificed their time and life to help people, animals and the environment.
The festival is one of the programmes under the organisation’s Children Can Change The World series, featuring a series of art programmes designed to empower children to be agents of change. It is also aimed at celebrating children’s creative efforts to work towards positive changes in themselves and in the community.
PKKKTB artistic director Chris Ng said the objective of the mini festival was to instill in children that they can be superheroes, even at a young age.
“Children can do their part for the community, regardless of age. They should be given an opportunity to showcase their talents to reach out and help others. It can range from helping to rescue an animal, doing their part in recycling, to helping an elderly person to cross the road,” said Ng during the mini festival held at PKKTB in Kuala Lumpur.
Five organisations were invited to share their expertise. Pawsome Animals’ rescuer Nicole- Ann Thomas, Free Tree Society’s Aishah Sinclair, Food Aid Foundation’s Sarah Lee, firefighters and policemen were there to share their knowledge.
Invited guests enlightened the children about their profession or volunteer work, and how kids could help to make the world a better place.
Thomas said having pets could help children learn about responsibility and focus.
“From a young age, kids can learn the importance of caring for pets. They should be taught how to feed their pets and remind their parents of yearly vaccinations for these animals,” said Thomas, a theatre personality who has been with Pawsome Animals since 2007.
Thomas, who recently acted in theatre company Theatrethreesixty’s Angels In America, encour- ages children to adopt animals from shelter homes rather than buy them from pet shops. “Many lonely animals in shelter homes are looking for a place to call home. With proper care and love, abandoned animals can look as good as marvellous looking breeds.”
At the mini festival, over 100 kids between the ages of five and 12, participated in activities such as riding the fire truck, testing out patrol car sirens, decorating their superhero mask, and pet- a- pet.
Participant Lara Alisha Colin was enlightened by the talk on animal rescue and how to care for pets.
“I learnt that animals need love and care. Pet owners should make time to feed their pets, and take them for regular walks. But more importantly, we should shower lots of tender loving care on our pets,” said the Year Four student of SK Assunta 2 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Upcoming events as part of the Children Can Change The World series include Bake For A Cause ( April 9), Re- Purpose Toys Fair ( May), Reading Festival ( June) and Story Telling Competition ( July).
For more details, go to pkktuankubainun. com.