In a heartwarming celebration of imagination, creativity, and childhood talent, the Children’s Upliftment Programme (CUP) successfully conducted a two-day creative writing workshop titled “Child Writer” at the Russian School of Art, based at the Russian House in Colombo.
The workshop was led by Dr. Nadee Dissanayake, Founder/Secretary of CUP, together with Harsha Gomes, Vice President of CUP, Nishantha Perera, Treasurer of CUP, and CUP members Padma Gunathilaka and Mahadi Shakthi. The programme was conducted with the generous support and encouragement of Mrs. Maria Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka and Director of the Russian House in Colombo; Mr. Buddhapriya Ramanayake, CEO of the Russian Centre in Colombo; Mrs. Chandi Aluvihare, Cultural Officer of the Russian Centre in Colombo; and Mr. Arjuna Jayasinghe, Senior Art Instructor of the Russian School of Art.
The first session of the workshop, held on Saturday, 28th March, brought together 30 enthusiastic students from the Russian School of Art, all eager to explore the magic of storytelling, drawing, and imagination. The young participants were guided through a creative journey that encouraged them to transform their ideas into meaningful stories while expressing emotions and values through words and illustrations.
From this inspiring first group, 10 students were selected to continue into the second-day advanced workshop on Sunday, 29th March, where they received more focused guidance to refine their stories, strengthen their illustrations, and prepare their work for publication. This meaningful publication initiative was further strengthened through the generous sponsorship support of Mr. Sabeer Iqbal, Assistant Secretary of CUP.
As part of this meaningful initiative, CUP will support these 10 young writers in publishing their book, giving them the rare and exciting opportunity to become published child authors. This upcoming publication will proudly become CUP’s 9th Child Writer Book, reflecting the programme’s long-standing commitment to nurturing children’s creativity, literacy, and self-confidence.
The workshop was designed not only to teach story writing, but also to unlock the inherited talents and hidden creative strengths of children. By participating in such carefully guided workshops, children naturally develop their creative writing abilities, critical thinking, imagination, drawing skills, and artistic confidence. More importantly, they learn how to trust their own ideas and shape them into stories that reflect both personal creativity and positive values.
Throughout the two days, the children also gained valuable life and communication skills. They learned the importance of teamwork, story development, illustration techniques, presentation styles, and collaborative idea-sharing. These experiences help young minds become better communicators, more confident presenters, and stronger creative thinkers.
By the end of the workshop, the participants had successfully created a beautiful story built around the timeless themes of brotherhood, kindness, and teamwork. The joy on their faces reflected not only the fun they experienced, but also the pride of having created something meaningful together.
The impact of such workshops goes far beyond the final story. They create a safe and inspiring environment where children can discover their voice, sharpen their talents, and develop lifelong skills in creativity and expression. In an age where imagination is often overshadowed by technology, initiatives like this remind us of the extraordinary power of storytelling to shape confident, compassionate, and thoughtful young individuals.
The official launch of the children’s book will be held soon, marking yet another proud milestone for CUP and the talented young writers who brought the story to life. This successful collaboration between CUP and the Russian School of Art stands as a shining example of how creative education can inspire children to become the writers, artists, and imaginative leaders of tomorrow.
