Dubai: Ten-year-old Pranav Sunil spiritedly ran on the red carpet as he got off the Al Noor Training Centre bus and headed toward the lobby of Sofitel Downtown, waving and shaking hands with the hotel staff gathered to welcome him.
He was one of the 10 students from Al Noor Training Centre for children with special needs taking part in Colour Splash last Sunday, an event that was aimed at giving the children a chance to express their creative streak.
A 2016 white Renault Dokker parked outside the hotel was their canvas. It was a joyous sight as the children, wearing protective glasses and plastic covers, went about painting the car and giving it a colourful makeover.
Fun with colours
“I love painting, green is my favourite colour,” said 14-year-old Joel Shaji, holding the brush with confidence and painting just like any boy his age.
“This place is so nice, everybody is helping me a lot. I want to come back here again,” added Shaji, who has autism spectrum.
Each child was teamed with a hotel staffer who lent guidance as the children painted the car with a variety of colours.
“I am painting yellow and pink. I am so happy to be here. It’s so much fun,” said Pranav Sunil, who has Down Syndrome and was the youngest in the group.
Joining in the painting session was Ammar Hilal, general manager of Sofitel Dubai Downtown. “All of us have an artist inside us and I am so happy to have got a chance to paint with such creative kids. It brings back memories of childhood.
“It’s an honour that our hotel has been able to provide a platform for special needs kids to boost their confidence and bring smiles on their faces,” said Hilal.
Looking at the finished product (the car), Ashraf Amani, director of marketing at Sofitel, said: “It is a spectacular artwork. These children are very creative and their enthusiasm is infectious. They made me realise that we shouldn’t be complaining about any shortcomings in life. I feel incredibly honoured to be a part of such a noble cause.”
The car will be on display outside Sofitel’s property throughout Ramadan to promote understanding of the special needs community.
Michael Bhutan from Philippines who works in the hotel’s recreation department also participated in the activity.
He said: “Assisting such wonderful children was a pleasant experience. I bonded so well with them and I felt as if they were my own children.”
