by Dr Karthika, mom of Ashikar
We climbed two flights of stairs that morning, huffing and puffing with a smile, trying to keep our cool while catching our breath. But the moment we stepped into the hall at the top, we were met with something that stopped us in our tracks.
It filled the space , in the laughter, in the glowing faces of the children, and in the quiet excitement buzzing through the room.
It was Sunday morning at Sunway Mentari, and the Junior Youth team from Bangsar, and young children from Myanmar, had gathered to create something beautiful.
Grouped into fives and sixes, the children worked together to create meaningful art pieces using recycled materials , cardboard, wrappers, string, bottle caps, plastic containers. They turned everyday scraps into powerful symbols. But what made the morning even more special was the way they created.
Each group moved with collaboration and care. They discussed, shared, helped one another. They painted, pasted, built.
And right there among them, Cara sat with her group, not just quietly making something, but empowering.
Then came the music.
Joy.
It filled the space , in the laughter, in the glowing faces of the children, and in the quiet excitement buzzing through the room.
It was Sunday morning at Sunway Mentari, and the Junior Youth team from Bangsar, and young children from Myanmar, had gathered to create something beautiful.
This wasn’t just an art session.
It was a celebration of unity, resilience,
and the power of young voices.
Grouped into fives and sixes, the children worked together to create meaningful art pieces using recycled materials , cardboard, wrappers, string, bottle caps, plastic containers. They turned everyday scraps into powerful symbols. But what made the morning even more special was the way they created.
Each group moved with collaboration and care. They discussed, shared, helped one another. They painted, pasted, built.
And right there among them, Cara sat with her group, not just quietly making something, but empowering.
With calm hands and a steady voice, she showed her teammates how to make slime from scratch. She mixed ingredients, explained the steps, and guided them through the process. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was powerful. It was a full sensory expression of creativity , stretchy, messy, and so full of joy. Cara’s slime wasn’t just fun; it was a living, tactile symbol of unity itself. Stretchable , shared, made together.
After the art was completed, the room came alive again , this time with words.
Each group took the center stage, standing proudly in front of everyone.
They spoke about what their artwork meant.
They shared how they made it, why they chose their materials, and what unity meant to them.
Some voices were soft, some confident, but every single one was authentic.
The youth gathered, and Kenn began to play Golden Hour on the keyboard.
The others joined in and sang , gently, beautifully. It was a moment of stillness. You could feel the emotion in the room shift.
And then they performed a second piece.
They had taken the familiar APT song and transformed it into Artelum, a symbolic language they had created, the lyrics re-written by the JY themselves.
Bright hands, laughter fills up the room yeah
We’re painting love and joy for real (uh)
One world, one heart, that’s what we do, yeah
Lets’do the magic with our hands, oh-oh-oh
Don’t you love it when we shine together?
Don’t you feel it when we all show up?
Art and service, making joy forever
All you gotta do is just meet us at the…
Art-te-leum…… chorus (just like A-Pa-teu)
And they didn’t just sing it , they danced.
The entire performance was choreographed by Ashikar. Piano accompaniment by Allysa and drumming by Cara. and sung heartily by Shrriman, and Tara, while the rest danced joyfully.
Each movement was thoughtful, expressive, and filled with meaning. They danced not just as individuals, but as one. Joyful, proud, connected. The room lit up with every step.
Each movement was thoughtful, expressive, and filled with meaning. They danced not just as individuals, but as one. Joyful, proud, connected. The room lit up with every step.
And then came the final chapter of the morning , KFC.
It wasn’t just lunch. It was community.
Everyone sat down together, passing around pieces, chatting, laughing, enjoying the moment.
It was a shared meal, simple and meaningful. The joy of eating their favorite food together made the whole room feel like one big family.
Even the chicken felt symbolic , a reminder that unity doesn’t always come in speeches and songs. Sometimes, it comes in a shared table and sticky fingers.
Afterwards, we had the chance to hear more about the journeys these children have walked.
They have faced challenges that most of us can only imagine.
Yet here they were, creating, laughing, dancing, leading.
And behind them, standing strong and steady, were their caretakers , the ones who have guided them with love, patience, and strength.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Aunty Po Li, Teacher Vynecia and Aunty Yuet Mee. Your love is visible in every child’s confidence, every detail of the day.
Po Li, we are holding you in our thoughts and praying for your healing and strength. Your spirit was everywhere in that hall.
To the parents, thank you for showing up, for believing, for walking alongside these children.
To the youth, thank you for teaching us what unity, creativity, and courage truly look like.
To everyone who made this moment possible, thank you for creating something that will stay with us forever.
To the parents, thank you for showing up, for believing, for walking alongside these children.
To the youth, thank you for teaching us what unity, creativity, and courage truly look like.
To everyone who made this moment possible, thank you for creating something that will stay with us forever.
And a special shoutout to Siew Ngan who made it possible for us to be with the Myanmar friends today.
As I walked down those stairs again,.no longer tired, only full.
I knew this wasn’t just another Sunday.
It was a reminder.
That hope can be handmade.
That strength can be shared.
And that unity, in the hands of children, is unstoppable.
With all my heart,
Mother of Ashikar.
Note: This vibrant art service project was a true expression of the Junior Youth’s creativity and collective spirit. Over several months of joyful planning during their weekly sessions, the Junior Youth took ownership of every detail—from envisioning the activity to crafting the theme and designing the artwork.
Their energy didn’t stop there. The children also created the choreography and lyrics for a meaningful performance of APT, making it entirely their own. Even the T-shirts worn by the Junior Youth, along with their parents and siblings, were lovingly designed by the junior youth themselves. It was a beautiful, unified celebration of expression, love, and service—led wholeheartedly by the children, for the community.
Their energy didn’t stop there. The children also created the choreography and lyrics for a meaningful performance of APT, making it entirely their own. Even the T-shirts worn by the Junior Youth, along with their parents and siblings, were lovingly designed by the junior youth themselves. It was a beautiful, unified celebration of expression, love, and service—led wholeheartedly by the children, for the community.