RC Manila Supports Kids with Disability Art Exhibit

The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), the oldest Rotary Club in Asia, continues to support children and or kids with disability (KWD) or special needs as part of its year-on-year program and projects dedicated for the purpose. The Club announced that the prestigious organization, chartered in June 1, 1919, in partnership with Hospicio de San Jose is conducting an art exhibit of the children’s fine works belonging to the Angels of Rendu under this year’s theme called Expanding Horizons to be held on September 14, 2023. The exhibit aims to raise enough funds to complete the renovation of the Rendu Ward inside the Hospicio where it houses and serves the special children like a painter-resident who paints with her foot. The other kids are from the other wards are either abandoned or abused.

The Angels of Rendu Art Club, named in honor of Rosalie Rendu, a worker and leading organizer of care for Paris slum dwellers during the 19th century, was beatified by the Catholic Church for the holiness of her life. The Club members are based in Hospicio de San Jose who started with just a couple of kids in the 2019 exhibit but grew to 12 children whose works differ from most artists who have a wide array of life experiences in the open world to draw their subjects and interpretations. Whereas, the artworks in this exhibit are simply testaments of wonder and hope as the children, inch by inch, push their limits outside their shelter in the Hospicio de San Jose. It is like the child artists are staring at the end of the sea. However, their social and physical limitations have not prevented them to explore and expand their artistic horizons.

For the forthcoming exhibit running from September 14 - October 1, 2023, established artists like Solen Heussaff, Melissa Yeung Yap, Spencer Ozo, Kate Bautista, Jean Uy Yam and the Club Founder Mr. Phillip Ong were especially invited to do collaborative works with the children. Some other artists who did the artwork over the children’s paintings included Ms. Susan Pua, Rishab Tibon, Carlo Ongchango, Andrick Francisco and Jonathan Dangue. The Rotary Club of Manila never wavers in its support to the under privileged poor kids with disablity and those in need.

Meanwhile, former DILG Secretary and current RC Manila President Raffy Alunan III explained that aside from the funds going to the complete renovation of the Rendu Ward, everything from the exhibit sales proceeds will all go to the Hospicio de San Jose. In this regard, Alunan and the entire Rotary Club of Manila officers and general membership calls on our generous countrymen to support the noble yearly undertaking for the unfortunate kids with disability at Hospicio de San Jose. RCMers hope that with this exhibit and formalization of the art group, Hospicio can become a permanent hub for arts and crafts in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila.