Boy draws on artful idea to offer help to poor kids

Editor's note: This news column showcases stories from around the world that bring a touch of positivity to the fight against the deadly coronavirus.

SWEIDA, Syria - Twelve-year-old Raghdan Faraj thought bigger than his age when he decided to sell some paintings he drew, not to get money for himself, but to help his poor peers buy masks.

The idea started with Faraj when he saw poor children on the streets without facial masks to protect against COVID-19.

For him it was a strange view after he had seen on TV awareness messages on the need to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

"While I was walking down the street, I saw a number of poor kids selling chocolate and biscuit with their hands dirty and without masks. I thought of a way to help them and decided to sell my paintings," the boy said.

He started putting his drawings on the street in Sweida city and sold them to get money and bought face masks for the poor children.

Faraj's initiative was welcomed in his city and inspired other people to help the poor children.

His drawings have been selling at good prices by people who wanted to encourage him and support his mission.

"I didn't expect people to support my initiative in such a short time and I sold some paintings at good prices," he said.

Faraj, with the help of his younger brother Omar, has so far made 25 paintings, most of which feature the current situation in Syria, the fears of COVID-19 and how people must wear masks always.

Rudaina Shaar, Faraj's mother, said her son made the paintings during home quarantine, noting that her child has a talent that he decided to employ to help others.

"When he first came to me, I was amazed by his idea and how a boy his age could have this thinking. So I decided to support him," the mother said.

Shaar said mothers should always pay attention to their children's aspirations and never put them down or discourage them.

She said a doctor inspired by the initiative decided to buy all the remaining drawings and gave him a good amount of money for them.

After taking the money, the mother said, they bought masks and hand sanitizers and gave them to the children on the streets.

"He was extremely happy when he gave the masks to the children," she said.

Now, the boy is preparing another set of paintings to sell and earn more money to buy masks.

His father, who works abroad, also promised he will send him money to help buy more masks, the mother said.

Shaar said her son loves the attention he gets and started telling his friends to take initiatives to help others in need.

"As a mother, I did not expect him to become this enthusiastic about this idea and he is now encouraging his friends to do something to help others amid the coronavirus crisis," she said.

Xinhua